HEFA ETF — iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA)

Updated October 16, 2026.

HEFA is an ETF. its distribution rate is 2.98%, its trailing-12-month yield is 4.03%, its expense ratio is 0.35%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 70/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 251.1% over the past 12.7 years, 162.1 points behind SPY at 413.2%.

This ETF tracks large- and mid-capitalization equities across Europe, Australasia, and the Far East while hedging currency exposure to the U.S. dollar. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate, distributes semi-annually, and has an expense ratio of 0.35%. It appeals to investors seeking international equity exposure without the complication of foreign currency fluctuations.

HEFA performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 251.1% over the past 12.7 years, 162.1 points behind SPY at 413.2%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 20.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.5%.

HEFA key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

70 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.09%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/31/2014

Expense ratio

0.35%

Distribution rate

2.98%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

4.03%

Last close

$46.43 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$7,506,255,237

Average volume

320049.0

Dividend

$0.691

Ex-dividend date

07/02/2026

Payment date

07/08/2026

Beta

0.51

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.98%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (4.03%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: iShares; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

HEFA risks and drawbacks

HEFA's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are semi-annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.5%.

Who may consider HEFA — and who may not

HEFA may suit someone looking for moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (HEFA pays semi-annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on HEFA

• All tickers starting with H

Tagged: International, Hedged.

Frequently asked questions

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