What five years of weekly data say
- VEA returned +9.8% a year and EFA +8.9% a year over the past five years, dividends reinvested.
- VEA was the calmer ride: 16% annual volatility, against 17%.
- Near twins (correlation 0.99). They rise and fall in lockstep, so holding both adds almost no diversification.
- VEA costs less to hold: 0.03% a year against 0.32%, or $29 less per $10,000 each year.
The numbers side by side
| Metric | VEVEA | EFEFA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $71.38 | $104.97 |
| Fund size | $323.82B | $79.32B |
| 1-year return | +22.5% (ahead) | +16.7% |
| 3-year return, a year | +20.6% (ahead) | +18.2% |
| 5-year return, a year | +9.8% (ahead) | +8.9% |
| Volatility, a year | 16% (ahead) | 17% |
| Worst drawdown | −29% | −29% |
| Worst week | −8.5% (ahead)Mar 2025 | −9.0%Mar 2025 |
| Beta | 0.98 | 0.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.49% | 3.14% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% (ahead) | 0.32% |
Do VEA and EFA move together?
Correlation compares VEA’s and EFA’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
VEA
−29%
From its Nov 2021 high to Oct 2022. Back at that high by Feb 2024.
EFA
−29%
From its Nov 2021 high to Sep 2022. Back at that high by Feb 2024.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
How much of it is the same money
VEA vs EFA: what people ask
Is VEA better than EFA?
Over the past five years, VEA delivered the higher return: +9.8% a year against +8.9% for EFA, dividends reinvested. Both fell about as far at their worst (−29% and −29%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between VEA and EFA?
VEA is Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF, a fund with $323.82B in assets. EFA is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, a fund with $79.32B in assets. VEA charges 0.03% a year and EFA 0.32%. Counting only each fund’s ten largest positions, 7% of their money sits in the same companies.
Should I own both VEA and EFA?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.99 over the past five years. They rise and fall in lockstep, so holding both adds almost no diversification. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, VEA or EFA?
EFA swung more: 17% annual volatility against 16% for VEA. At their worst, VEA fell 29% and EFA 29% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 0.98 and 0.87.
Which pays a higher dividend, VEA or EFA?
EFA currently yields 3.14%, against 2.49% for VEA. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Which is cheaper to hold, VEA or EFA?
VEA charges 0.03% a year and EFA 0.32%. On $10,000, that is $29.00 a year in favor of VEA.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.