VXUS vs IEFA: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF against iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF, over the same 14 years (November 2012 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From November 2012 to October 2026, VXUS returned 7.7% a year and IEFA 8.2% a year on average, so IEFA came out ahead by 0.5% a year. IEFA was the more volatile of the two (14.3% against 14.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 27.8% for VXUS and 28.6% for IEFA.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 133 rolling 3-year periods, VXUS did better in 41% and IEFA in 59%.
Side by side
| VXUS | IEFA | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +7.7% | +8.2% |
| Total return | +184% | +203% |
| Annual volatility | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −27.8% | −28.6% |
| Worst month | −16.3% | −14.6% |
| Best month | +13.0% | +13.9% |
| Positive months | 60% | 63% |
| Best year | 2025: +32.4% | 2025: +32.1% |
| Worst year | 2022: −16.1% | 2022: −15.2% |
| 1-year return | +14.6% | +12.8% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.2% | +8.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +9.1% | +9.2% |
| 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: VXUS vs IEFA
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VXUS | IEFA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.4% | +32.1% |
| 2024 | +5.1% | +3.3% |
| 2023 | +15.9% | +17.9% |
| 2022 | −16.1% | −15.2% |
| 2021 | +9.0% | +11.6% |
| 2020 | +10.7% | +8.2% |
| 2019 | +21.8% | +22.6% |
| 2018 | −14.4% | −14.1% |
| 2017 | +27.5% | +26.6% |
| 2016 | +4.8% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | −4.2% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | −4.7% | −6.3% |
| 2013 | +14.6% | +22.5% |
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 IEFA?
From November 2012 to October 2026, VXUS returned +7.7% a year and IEFA +8.2% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods VXUS did better in 41% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VXUS or IEFA?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.3% for VXUS and 14.3% for IEFA; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 27.8% and 28.6%, and the worst single month −16.3% and −14.6%.
How correlated are VXUS and IEFA?
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.