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IEFA vs VEA: Performance & Backtest Comparison
VEA delivered the higher return - 9.00% CAGR vs 8.43% - over 2012-11-30 → 2026-06-30.
Growth comparison
Drawdown
Annual returns
| IEFA | VEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF |
| CAGR | 8.43% | 9.00% |
| Total return | 202.23% | 224.72% |
| Volatility | 14.42% | 14.77% |
| Max drawdown | -28.58%Sep 2022 | -28.08%Sep 2022 |
| Sharpe | 0.52 | 0.55 |
| Sortino | 0.79 | 0.82 |
| Best year | 32.08% | 35.17% |
| Worst year | -15.21% | -15.36% |
| Final balance | $30,223 | $32,472 |
Correlation of monthly returns: 1.00. Wondering if you need both? Check their fund overlap →
All figures are total returns: every dividend and distribution is reinvested on its ex-date, and prices are split-adjusted. See the methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which has performed better, IEFA or VEA?
Over 2012-11-30 to 2026-06-30, VEA performed better: 9.00% annualized versus 8.43% for IEFA, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How similar are IEFA and VEA?
Their monthly returns have a correlation of 1.00 over the common period. IEFA is iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF; VEA is Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF.
Which is riskier, IEFA or VEA?
Over the common period IEFA had 14.42% annualized volatility and a -28.58% max drawdown, versus 14.77% and -28.08% for VEA.