EFA vs RFDI
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, EFA or RFDI?
Nearly the same fund. EFA costs less.
EFA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, RFDI over 1Y. 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 22.7%.
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 | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $76.7B | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.24% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 682 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.2%Best | -42.4% |
| $10,000 over 10.4 years | $25,262Best | $22,157 |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.1%Best | 22.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2001 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. EFA has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 14, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -34.2% for EFA and -42.4% for RFDI. 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 RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $83 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFA currently yields 3.24% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
20.4% of EFA's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 50.7% of RFDI's money is in holdings EFA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 57 days apart, EFA as of Oct 1, 2026 and RFDI as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
55 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 682 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for EFA (3.8% of the fund), and 10 for EFA that do not appear in RFDI (3.9%).
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 RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 3.27% | 2.23% | 1.04% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.53% | 3.27% | 1.74% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.82% | 3.66% | 2.84% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.22% | 2.02% | 0.80% |
| UBSG:SMUbs Group Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.69% | 1.99% | 1.30% |
| TTE:PATotalenergies Se | 0.76% | 1.66% | 0.90% |
| BNP:PABnp Paribas Sa | 0.48% | 1.87% | 1.39% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 0.37% | 1.93% | 1.56% |
| 8411:JPMizuho Financial Group Inc. Com Stk | 0.59% | 1.65% | 1.06% |
| BHP:AUBHP Group Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.99% | 1.14% | 0.15% |
50.7% of RFDI 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 RFDI?
EFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while RFDI charges 0.83%. EFA is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, EFA or RFDI?
RFDI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.7% for EFA. Worst drawdown: EFA -34.2% vs RFDI -42.4%.
Should I hold both EFA and RFDI?
EFA and RFDI 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 RFDI?
50.7% of RFDI's money is in holdings EFA also owns. 50.7% of RFDI's is in holdings EFA also owns. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in EFA and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFA or RFDI?
EFA yields 3.24% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so EFA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than EFA?
EFA has a lower expense ratio. EFA led over the full window, RFDI over 1Y. 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 22.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.