IEFA ETF — iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA)

IEFA is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 3.16%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.29%, its expense ratio is 0.07%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 81/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 207.8% over the past 13.8 years, 370.9 points behind SPY at 578.7%.

At the current 3.16% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $316 per year, or $26.33 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual semi-annual payments vary.

This ETF tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, providing exposure to large-, mid-, and small-capitalization equities across Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. It distributes semi-annually at a modest current distribution rate, with a very low expense ratio of 0.07%. The fund appeals to investors seeking broad international developed-market equity exposure with minimal fees.

IEFA performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 207.8% over the past 13.8 years, 370.9 points behind SPY at 578.7%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.5%.

IEFA key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

81 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.56%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

10/18/2012

Expense ratio

0.07%

Distribution rate

3.16%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

3.29%

Last close

$99.88

AUM

$195,797,151,100

Average volume

6915394.0

Last dividend

$1.5780

Ex-dividend date

06/15/2026

Payment date

06/18/2026

Beta

0.89

P/E ratio

18.6018

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.16%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (3.29%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: iShares fund page; Index: MSCI EAFE IMI Index; 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.

IEFA risks and drawbacks

IEFA'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 11.5%.

Who may consider IEFA — and who may not

IEFA may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (IEFA 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.

Compare IEFA

IEFA vs similar funds:

• IEFA vs VEA
• IEFA vs VXUS
• IEFA vs EFA
• IEFA vs IXUS
• IEFA vs IXUS vs VEA vs VXUS

Frequently asked questions

More funds from iShares.