IEFA ETF — iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA)

Updated October 2, 2026.

IEFA is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index. its distribution rate is 3.25%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.39%, its expense ratio is 0.07%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 75/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 198.9% over the past 13.9 years, 383.4 points behind SPY at 582.3%.

At the current 3.25% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $325 per year, or about $162.50 per semi-annual payment if the next payment matches the last regular one.

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

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 198.9% over the past 13.9 years, 383.4 points behind SPY at 582.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 14.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.5%.

IEFA key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

75 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.44%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

10/18/2012

Expense ratio

0.07%

Distribution rate

3.25%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

3.39%

Last close

$97.01 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$192,911,671,942

Average volume

18571500.0

Last dividend

$1.578

Last ex-dividend date

06/15/2026

Last payment date

06/18/2026

Beta

0.89

P/E ratio

17.4687

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.25%) 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 (3.39%) 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. 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 or company 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, 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 securities from iShares.