EFA vs IDYN
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF
Which is better, EFA or IDYN?
Nearly the same fund. EFA costs less.
EFA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over 1Y, IDYN over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. EFA is less concentrated, with 14.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EFA | IDYN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $76.7B | $114M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.24% | 1.83% |
| Holdings | 682 | 218 |
| YTD Return | +7.56%Best | +6.01% |
| 1Y Return | +13.78%Best | +12.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.91% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.68% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.4%Best | -12.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,856 | $11,889Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.1%Best | 20.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2001 | Aug 5, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
EFA vs IDYN growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.2 years both funds cover.
EFA vs IDYN Performance
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (IDYN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year EFA returned +13.78% while IDYN returned +12.58%. Year to date, EFA is up 7.56% versus a gain of 6.01% for IDYN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 12.0% for EFA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -11.4% for EFA and -12.7% for IDYN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFA charges 0.32% per year while IDYN charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $45 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFA currently yields 3.24% against 1.83% for IDYN.
Holdings Overlap
40.4% of EFA's money is in holdings IDYN also owns. 82.6% of IDYN's money is in holdings EFA also owns.
Most of IDYN is already inside EFA. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
159 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 203 in IDYN, against full books of 682 and 218.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for IDYN that do not appear in our book for EFA (0.7% of the fund), and 7 for EFA that do not appear in IDYN (3.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EFA | Weight in IDYN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 3.27% | 4.17% | 0.90% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 1.22% | 2.62% | 1.40% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 1.12% | 2.15% | 1.03% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander | 0.89% | 1.90% | 1.01% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola S.A. | 0.68% | 1.91% | 1.23% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.53% | 0.72% | 0.81% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd.[Abbn] | 0.70% | 1.39% | 0.69% |
| ENEL:MIEnel | 0.35% | 1.66% | 1.31% |
| BBVA:MABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Reg Shs | 0.70% | 1.26% | 0.56% |
| SIE:SGSiemens N Ag | 1.04% | 0.91% | 0.13% |
82.6% of IDYN is already inside EFA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EFA or IDYN?
EFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while IDYN charges 0.45%. EFA is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFA or IDYN?
Over the past year EFA returned +13.78% vs +12.58% for IDYN, so EFA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EFA annualized +15.24% vs +15.51% for IDYN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFA or IDYN?
IDYN has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 12.0% for EFA. Worst drawdown: EFA -11.4% vs IDYN -12.7%.
Should I hold both EFA and IDYN?
EFA and IDYN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EFA and IDYN?
82.6% of IDYN's money is in holdings EFA also owns. 82.6% of IDYN's is in holdings EFA also owns. They hold 159 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 203 in IDYN.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFA or IDYN?
EFA yields 3.24% while IDYN yields 1.83%, so EFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IDYN better than EFA?
EFA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over 1Y, IDYN over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. EFA is less concentrated, with 14.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.