Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
IEFA has lagged VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 14.33% total return against 18.48%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VXUS has compounded at 9.26% a year, against 9.07% for IEFA. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Oct 2012” measures every fund from October 22, 2012 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IEFA.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VXUS.
IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IEFA offers the higher yield at 3.25% vs 0.73% for VXUS. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
VXUS is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.05% compared to 0.07%.
They have different reference exposures: IEFA is linked to MSCI EAFE IMI Index while VXUS is linked to FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
IEFA is the larger fund by assets ($193B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Who should choose each?
Choose IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
Want higher current income — IEFA yields 3.25% vs 0.73% for VXUS.
Want broad equity exposure.
Choose VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Want broad equity exposure.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.05% expense ratio vs 0.07% for IEFA.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Still deciding? Track IEFA & VXUS for free
Create a free Dividend Vision account to keep them on a watchlist, get notified when they declare dividends, and see how much income they would add to your portfolio.
On a $10,000 investment, IEFA would generate roughly $162.50 cash per distribution, while VXUS would produce $18.25 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.
IEFA yield3.25%
VXUS yield0.73%
Cash diff on $10K$144.25
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IEFA would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $50 for VXUS (simplified, not compounded). The $20.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IEFA ER0.07%
VXUS ER0.05%
Strategy & risk
IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index with an international approach, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index with an international approach. Beta is 0.89 for IEFA and 0.92 for VXUS — effectively similar market sensitivity.
IEFA beta0.89
VXUS beta0.92
Fund details
IEFA is managed by iShares (launched 10/18/2012) with $193B in assets. VXUS is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2011) with $165B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution rate for IEFA and VXUS?
IEFA currently distributes 3.25% and VXUS 0.73%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is IEFA or VXUS better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IEFA currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between IEFA and VXUS?
IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index with an international approach, while VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index with an international approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both IEFA and VXUS?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Is IEFA or VXUS safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — IEFA scores 75, VXUS scores 61, so IEFA's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.
Which has lower fees, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VXUS charges 0.05%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IEFA vs VXUS generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IEFA would generate roughly $162.50 cash per distribution ($325.00 annually). The same in VXUS would produce about $18.25 cash per distribution ($73.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, IEFA or VXUS?
IEFA has lagged VXUS over the trailing twelve months, posting a 14.33% total return against 18.48%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VXUS has compounded at 9.26% a year, against 9.07% for IEFA. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Explore related screeners
Lateral filters that include these funds — browse the full peer set on DividendVision.
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