IEFA vs VEA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
Which is better, IEFA or VEA?
Nearly the same fund. VEA costs less.
VEA has a lower expense ratio. IEFA 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 | IEFA | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $193.3B | $230.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.29% | 2.49% |
| Holdings | 2,640 | 3,886 |
| YTD Return | +9.22% | +14.27%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.91% | +22.38%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.21% | +19.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.07% | +9.64%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,741 | $15,843Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2012 | Jul 20, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2012 to Sep 14, 2026 (13.9 years).
IEFA 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 13.9 years both funds cover.
IEFA vs VEA Performance
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) 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 IEFA returned +14.91% while VEA returned +22.38%. Year to date, IEFA is up 9.22% versus a gain of 14.27% for VEA.
Over three years, IEFA compounded at +17.21% per year against +19.89% for VEA; over five years the annualized figures are +8.07% and +9.64% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, IEFA has the edge at +8.21% annualized vs +6.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.3% for IEFA. 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 -34.8% for IEFA and -39.9% 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
IEFA charges 0.07% per year while VEA charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $3 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEFA currently yields 3.29% against 2.49% for VEA.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.5% of IEFA'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.
1,829 positions in common, counted across the 2,580 positions we hold weights for in IEFA and 3,754 in VEA, against full books of 2,640 and 3,886.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEFA | Weight in VEA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.37% | 1.13% | 0.24% |
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.00% | 2.48% | 2.48% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 0.90% | 0.23% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.00% | 0.79% | 0.21% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.96% | 0.79% | 0.17% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.94% | 0.79% | 0.15% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.90% | 0.74% | 0.16% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.94% | 0.66% | 0.28% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander S.a. | 0.80% | 0.64% | 0.16% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.83% | 0.58% | 0.25% |
66.5% of IEFA 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IEFA or VEA?
IEFA has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VEA charges 0.03%. VEA is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEFA or VEA?
Over the past year IEFA returned +14.91% vs +22.38% for VEA, so VEA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IEFA annualized +8.21% vs +6.85% for VEA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEFA or VEA?
VEA has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.3% for IEFA. Worst drawdown: IEFA -34.8% vs VEA -39.9%.
Should I hold both IEFA and VEA?
IEFA 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 IEFA and VEA?
At least 66.5% of IEFA's money is in holdings VEA also owns. Our book for VEA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,829 positions in common, counted across the 2,580 positions we hold weights for in IEFA and 3,754 in VEA.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEFA or VEA?
IEFA yields 3.29% while VEA yields 2.49%, so IEFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VEA better than IEFA?
VEA has a lower expense ratio. IEFA 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.