EFA vs VEA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Which is better, EFA or VEA?
Nearly the same fund. VEA costs less.
VEA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, VEA over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EFA | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $78.7B | $230.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.14% | 2.49% |
| Holdings | 700 | 3,886 |
| YTD Return | +10.81% | +14.27%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.95% | +22.38%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.68% | +19.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.75% | +9.64%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4%Best | 17.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.0%Best | -62.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,211 | $15,843Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2001 | Jul 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2007 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.1 years).
EFA vs VEA growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.1 years both funds cover.
EFA vs VEA Performance
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EFA returned +16.95% while VEA returned +22.38%. Year to date, EFA is up 10.81% versus a gain of 14.27% for VEA.
Over three years, EFA compounded at +17.68% per year against +19.89% for VEA; over five years the annualized figures are +8.75% and +9.64% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, EFA has the edge at +4.89% annualized vs +3.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 17.4% for EFA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -60.0% for EFA and -62.9% for VEA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFA charges 0.32% per year while VEA charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFA currently yields 3.14% against 2.49% for VEA.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.4% of EFA's money is in holdings VEA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VEA, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
403 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 3,754 in VEA, against full books of 700 and 3,886.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EFA | Weight in VEA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 2.93% | 1.96% | 0.97% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.59% | 1.13% | 0.46% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.25% | 0.90% | 0.35% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.13% | 0.79% | 0.34% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.12% | 0.79% | 0.33% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.10% | 0.79% | 0.31% |
| 8306:JPMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group, Inc. | 1.10% | 0.75% | 0.35% |
| SIE:SGSiemens Ag | 1.07% | 0.74% | 0.33% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 1.08% | 0.66% | 0.42% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.94% | 0.64% | 0.30% |
66.4% of EFA is already inside VEA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EFA or VEA?
EFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VEA charges 0.03%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFA or VEA?
Over the past year EFA returned +16.95% vs +22.38% for VEA, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), EFA annualized +4.89% vs +3.03% for VEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFA or VEA?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 17.4% for EFA. Worst drawdown: EFA -60.0% vs VEA -62.9%.
Should I hold both EFA and VEA?
EFA and VEA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EFA and VEA?
At least 66.4% of EFA's money is in holdings VEA also owns. Our book for VEA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 403 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 3,754 in VEA.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFA or VEA?
EFA yields 3.14% while VEA yields 2.49%, so EFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEA better than EFA?
VEA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, VEA over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.