VXUS vs EFA: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF against iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, over the same 15 years (February 2011 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From February 2011 to October 2026, VXUS returned 6.4% a year and EFA 6.7% a year on average, so EFA came out ahead by 0.3% a year. VXUS was the more volatile of the two (14.9% against 14.8% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 27.8% for VXUS and 27.6% for EFA.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 154 rolling 3-year periods, VXUS did better in 52% and EFA in 48%.
Side by side
| VXUS | EFA | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +6.4% | +6.7% |
| Total return | +166% | +179% |
| Annual volatility | 14.9% | 14.8% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −27.8% | −27.6% |
| Worst month | −16.3% | −14.1% |
| Best month | +13.0% | +14.3% |
| Positive months | 58% | 61% |
| Best year | 2025: +32.4% | 2025: +31.6% |
| Worst year | 2022: −16.1% | 2022: −14.3% |
| 1-year return | +14.6% | +12.5% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.2% | +8.6% |
| 10 years, a year | +9.1% | +9.1% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 189 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VXUS vs EFA
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VXUS | EFA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.4% | +31.6% |
| 2024 | +5.1% | +3.5% |
| 2023 | +15.9% | +18.4% |
| 2022 | −16.1% | −14.3% |
| 2021 | +9.0% | +11.5% |
| 2020 | +10.7% | +7.6% |
| 2019 | +21.8% | +22.0% |
| 2018 | −14.4% | −13.8% |
| 2017 | +27.5% | +25.1% |
| 2016 | +4.8% | +1.4% |
| 2015 | −4.2% | −1.0% |
| 2014 | −4.7% | −6.2% |
| 2013 | +14.6% | +21.4% |
| 2012 | +18.6% | +18.8% |
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, VXUS or EFA?
From February 2011 to October 2026, VXUS returned +6.4% a year and EFA +6.7% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods VXUS did better in 52% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or EFA?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.9% for VXUS and 14.8% for EFA; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 27.8% and 27.6%, and the worst single month −16.3% and −14.1%.
How correlated are VXUS and EFA?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.98: 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.