IEFA vs VEA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields more: 3.39% (dividend yield) against 2.46% for VEA. VEA is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.07%. Over the same 14 years (Oct 2012 to Oct 2026), VEA returned 8.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and IEFA 8.2%.
| Compared | IEFA | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.39% | 2.46% |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +13.3% | +16.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +19.5% | +21.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +8.2% | +9.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.2% | +9.8% |
| Worst drop since Oct 2012 | -28.6% | -28.1% |
| Share price since Oct 2012 | +102% | +109% |
| Pays | Semiannual | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $189.3B | $310.2B |
| Started | 2012 | 2007 |
| Type | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
Higher yield
IEFA
3.39%
Lower cost
VEA
0.03%
Better total return
VEA
8.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VEA
-28.1%
Key facts: IEFA vs VEA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IEFA yields 3.39% (dividend yield) and VEA yields 2.46% (dividend yield).
- IEFA's expense ratio is 0.07% and VEA's is 0.03%: $7 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IEFA grew to $30,097 (8.2% a year) and $10,000 in VEA to $31,708 (8.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -28.6% for IEFA and -28.1% for VEA.
- 7 of IEFA's top ten holdings are also in VEA's top ten, an overlap of at least 7% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IEFA vs VEA: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/iefa-vs-vea
$10,000 in each, Oct 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IEFA became
$30,097
8.2% a year
VEA became
$31,708
8.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | IEFA | VEA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +32.1% | +35.2% |
| 2024 | +3.3% | +3.1% |
| 2023 | +17.9% | +17.9% |
| 2022 | −15.3% | −15.3% |
| 2021 | +11.6% | +11.7% |
| 2020 | +8.2% | +9.7% |
| 2019 | +22.6% | +22.6% |
| 2018 | −14.1% | −14.7% |
| 2017 | +26.6% | +26.4% |
| 2016 | +1.6% | +2.6% |
| 2015 | +0.7% | −0.4% |
| 2014 | −6.3% | −6.0% |
| 2013 | +22.5% | +21.8% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
7 of the top ten overlap, at least 7% of each fund.
IEFA
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.5%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new1.4%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC1.3%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares1.2%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.2%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC1.1%
- NESN.SW Nestle SA1.1%
- SAP.DE SAP SE1.0%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.9%
- SIE.DE Siemens AG0.9%
VEA
- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd2.8%
- SK hynix Inc2.3%
- ASML.AS ASML Holding NV2.1%
- HSBA.L HSBC Holdings PLC1.0%
- ROP.SW Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new0.9%
- SHEL.L Shell PLC0.9%
- RY Royal Bank of Canada0.9%
- NOVN.SW Novartis AG Registered Shares0.8%
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc0.8%
- AZN.L AstraZeneca PLC0.7%
IEFA vs VEA: questions
Is IEFA or VEA better?
It depends on the job. IEFA pays more today (3.39% vs 2.46%), VEA costs less, and VEA has the better total return over Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, with VEA holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEFA or VEA?
IEFA, at 3.39% against 2.46% for VEA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $339 vs $246 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VEA. From Oct 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 8.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 8.2% for IEFA. $10,000 became $31,708 vs $30,097.
Which is cheaper, IEFA or VEA?
VEA, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.07%.
Do IEFA and VEA hold the same things?
Partly. 7 of their top ten holdings match (ASML.AS, HSBA.L, ROP.SW, SHEL.L), at least 7% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VEA leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.