IEFA vs VXUS
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, IEFA or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $193.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.29% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,640 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +8.27% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.54% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.87% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.99% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Tie | 14.3%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,686 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 23, 2026 (13.9 years).
IEFA vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IEFA returned +14.54% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, IEFA is up 8.27% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, IEFA compounded at +17.87% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.99% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, IEFA has the edge at +8.13% annualized vs +5.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEFA and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.3% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.8% for IEFA and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. 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 VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEFA currently yields 3.29% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.4% of IEFA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of IEFA is already inside VXUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,899 positions in common, counted across the 2,580 positions we hold weights for in IEFA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,640 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEFA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 1.37% | 0.82% | 0.55% |
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.00% | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.13% | 0.65% | 0.48% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.00% | 0.57% | 0.43% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.96% | 0.58% | 0.38% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.94% | 0.57% | 0.37% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 0.90% | 0.54% | 0.36% |
| BHP:AUBhp Group Ltd | 0.94% | 0.31% | 0.63% |
| SAP:FFSap Se, Sponsored Adr | 0.83% | 0.42% | 0.41% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 0.73% | 0.47% | 0.26% |
73.4% of IEFA is already inside VXUS.
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, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEFA or VXUS?
Over the past year IEFA returned +14.54% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IEFA annualized +8.13% vs +5.98% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA and VXUS have been equally volatile, both at 14.3% annualized. Worst drawdown: IEFA -34.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both IEFA and VXUS?
IEFA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 VXUS?
At least 73.4% of IEFA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,899 positions in common, counted across the 2,580 positions we hold weights for in IEFA and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA yields 3.29% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so IEFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than IEFA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. IEFA led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.