Dividend comparison
EFA vs VEU: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
EFA vs VEU: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VEU is cheaper at 0.04% a year versus 0.32% for EFA. On $10,000 that is $28 a year less in fees.
- Income. EFA pays more income, yielding 3.24% over the last twelve months versus 2.40% for VEU. That is about $85 more a year on $10,000. EFA pays quarterly, VEU pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, EFA returned 51.0% versus 46.9% for VEU, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,095 in EFA and $14,687 in VEU.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.3% for EFA and -28.5% for VEU from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VEU holds 3,823 positions and EFA holds 656.
- Dividend growth. EFA grew its yearly payout 7.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.8% for VEU.
Bottom line: EFA fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. VEU fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.24% | 2.40% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.36 | $1.96 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $1.6364 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.1968 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.3% over 4 yrs | 4.8% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $103.69 | $81.85 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.78 | 0.91 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.3% | -28.5% |
| Market cap | $76.86B | $95.88B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.32% | 0.04% |
| Assets under management | $76.89B | $95.70B |
| Number of holdings | 656 | 3823 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 14.8% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
EFA
$27.04/mo
$324 /yr at 3.24% yield
VEU
$19.96/mo
$240 /yr at 2.40% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. EFA pays quarterly; VEU pays annual.
| Year | EFA | VEU |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.2473 | $2.2706 |
| 2024 | $2.4500 | $1.8615 |
| 2023 | $2.2421 | $1.8634 |
| 2022 | $1.9291 | $1.5639 |
| 2021 | $2.4540 | $1.8845 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $15,095 in EFA and $14,687 in VEU.
| Period | EFA | VEU |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.22% | -2.40% |
| 3 months | 1.09% | 0.34% |
| Year to date | 9.69% | 11.27% |
| 1 year | 12.55% | 12.17% |
| 3 years | 71.16% | 73.74% |
| 5 years | 50.95% | 46.87% |
- EFA
- VEU
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- EFA
- VEU
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VEU3823 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 4.66% |
| 005930.KSSamsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.22% |
| 000660.KSSK hynix Inc | 1.82% |
| ASML.ASASML Holding NV | 1.69% |
| 0700.HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 0.83% |
| HSBA.LHSBC Holdings PLC | 0.83% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 0.71% |
| SHEL.LShell PLC | 0.68% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 0.67% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 0.65% |
Quick verdict
EFA fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. VEU fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how EFA vs VEU fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is EFA or VEU better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. EFA currently yields 3.24% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VEU yields 2.40%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between EFA and VEU?
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, EFA or VEU?
VEU has the lower expense ratio. EFA charges 0.32% a year and VEU charges 0.04%, a difference of $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, EFA or VEU?
Over the last 5 years, EFA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: EFA returned 51.0% and VEU returned 46.9%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, EFA or VEU?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, EFA has been riskier: EFA fell as much as 29.3% and VEU as much as 28.5%. Their betas are 0.78 and 0.91.
How often do EFA and VEU pay dividends?
EFA pays quarterly and VEU pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in EFA vs VEU generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in EFA would generate roughly $27.04 per month ($324 annually). The same amount in VEU would produce about $19.96 per month ($240 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both EFA and VEU?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare EFA vs VEU with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how EFA and VEU fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
Related comparisons
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.