IEFA vs SCZ: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF against iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF, over the same 14 years (November 2012 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From November 2012 to October 2026, IEFA returned 8.2% a year and SCZ 8.5% a year on average, so SCZ came out ahead by 0.3% a year. SCZ was the more volatile of the two (15.6% against 14.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 28.6% for IEFA and 34.6% for SCZ.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.96: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 133 rolling 3-year periods, IEFA did better in 52% and SCZ in 48%.
Side by side
| IEFA | SCZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +8.2% | +8.5% |
| Total return | +203% | +214% |
| Annual volatility | 14.3% | 15.6% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −28.6% | −34.6% |
| Worst month | −14.6% | −17.8% |
| Best month | +13.9% | +12.9% |
| Positive months | 63% | 61% |
| Best year | 2025: +32.1% | 2017: +32.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −15.2% | 2022: −21.3% |
| 1-year return | +12.8% | +12.3% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.3% | +4.9% |
| 10 years, a year | +9.2% | +7.9% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 168 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: IEFA vs SCZ
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IEFA | SCZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.1% | +32.1% |
| 2024 | +3.3% | +1.5% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +13.0% |
| 2022 | −15.2% | −21.3% |
| 2021 | +11.6% | +10.1% |
| 2020 | +8.2% | +11.7% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +24.7% |
| 2018 | −14.1% | −17.6% |
| 2017 | +26.6% | +32.7% |
| 2016 | +1.6% | +2.6% |
| 2015 | +0.7% | +9.1% |
| 2014 | −6.3% | −6.1% |
| 2013 | +22.5% | +28.6% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, IEFA or SCZ?
From November 2012 to October 2026, IEFA returned +8.2% a year and SCZ +8.5% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods IEFA did better in 52% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IEFA or SCZ?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.3% for IEFA and 15.6% for SCZ; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 28.6% and 34.6%, and the worst single month −14.6% and −17.8%.
How correlated are IEFA and SCZ?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.96: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.