the gap between themVEA ahead by $685
VEA solid · EFA dashed · weekly closes, dividends reinvested
VEA wins 2 of 4. Which matters depends on what you need it for.
- Grew more over five yearsVEA +58% · EFA +51%
VEA
- Fell less at its worstVEA −29% · EFA −29%tie
- Calmer rideVEA 16% vol · EFA 16% voltie
- Cheaper to holdVEA 0.03% a year · EFA 0.32% a year
near twins · correlation 0.99
Side by side, line by line
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70.35 | $103.40 |
| Fund size | $313.54B | $76.70B |
| 1-year return | +22.0% (ahead) | +15.9% |
| 3-year return, a year | +21.1% (ahead) | +18.4% |
| 5-year return, a year | +9.6% (ahead) | +8.6% |
| Volatility, a year | 16% | 16% |
| Worst drawdown | −29% | −29% |
| Worst week | −8.5% (ahead)Mar 2025 | −9.0%Mar 2025 |
| Beta | 0.98 | 0.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.41% | 3.24% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% (ahead) | 0.32% |
Do VEA and EFA move together?
Correlation compares VEA’s and EFA’s weekly returns from Oct 2021 to Oct 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
- same money
- same companies, extra weight
- only in this fund
VEA vs EFA: what people ask
Is VEA better than EFA?
Over the past five years, VEA delivered the higher return: +9.6% a year against +8.7% 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 $313.54B in assets. EFA is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, a fund with $76.70B in assets. VEA charges 0.03% a year and EFA 0.32%.
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: 16% 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 3.24%, against 2.41% 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. Left for 30 years at 7% a year before fees, $10,000 would end $6,296 higher in VEA.
Compare something else
Any two stocks or ETFs. Keep VEA or swap both.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Oct 2021 to Oct 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh daily. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.