IEFA vs GLD
Comparison between ISHARES CORE MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA, ETF) and SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD, ETF).
5-Year PerformanceGLD has outperformed IEFA, delivering a return of +20.4% compared to +8.4%
IEFA vs GLD - Performance Comparison
Key Characteristics
Financial metrics and valuation ratios
Net Assets
Winner
IEFA
$170B
GLD
$155B
Expense Ratio
Winner
IEFA
0.07%
GLD
0.40%
Max Drawdown
Winner
IEFA
38.86%
GLD
45.56%
Sharpe Ratio
Winner
IEFA
1.42
GLD
1.24
5Y Beta
IEFA
0.74
Winner
GLD
0.18
5Y Dividends CAGR
IEFA
14.46%
GLD
N/A
IEFA vs GLD - Historical Returns
Returns include dividend reinvestment.
1M
Winner
IEFA
+1.97%
GLD
-0.17%
3M
Winner
IEFA
+0.29%
GLD
-7.12%
6M
IEFA
+12.94%
Winner
GLD
+17.77%
1Y
IEFA
+27.03%
Winner
GLD
+42.39%
5Y(CAGR)
IEFA
+8.40%
Winner
GLD
+20.37%
10Y(CAGR)
IEFA
+9.51%
Winner
GLD
+13.66%
Max(CAGR)
IEFA
+8.48%
Winner
GLD
+11.20%
IEFA vs GLD - Annual Returns (2004 - 2026)
Returns include dividend reinvestment.
| Year | IEFA | GLD |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +7.69% | +8.91% |
| 2025 | +32.36% | +61.48% |
| 2024 | +4.43% | +26.96% |
| 2023 | +16.98% | +11.76% |
| 2022 | -15.69% | +0.78% |
| 2021 | +11.01% | -6.24% |
| 2020 | +7.04% | +23.90% |
| 2019 | +23.07% | +17.78% |
| 2018 | -14.75% | -3.12% |
| 2017 | +25.84% | +11.93% |
| 2016 | +3.10% | +6.53% |
| 2015 | +0.93% | -11.06% |
| 2014 | -4.57% | -3.75% |
| 2013 | +20.53% | -28.83% |
| 2012 | +7.32% | +3.91% |
| 2011 | N/A | +10.14% |
| 2010 | N/A | +26.34% |
| 2009 | N/A | +24.45% |
| 2008 | N/A | +1.96% |
| 2007 | N/A | +32.40% |
| 2006 | N/A | +18.99% |
| 2005 | N/A | +19.90% |
| 2004 | N/A | -1.31% |
IEFA vs GLD Drawdown Comparison
The maximum drawdown for IEFA was -34.78%, occurring on Mar 23, 2020. Recovery took 707 trading sessions.
The maximum drawdown for GLD was -45.56%, occurring on Dec 17, 2015. Recovery took 2248 trading sessions.
The current IEFA drawdown is -1.28%. The current GLD drawdown is -12.53%.
| Rank | IEFA | GLD |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | -34.78% Jan 26, 2018 - Nov 16, 2020 | -45.56% Aug 22, 2011 - Jul 29, 2020 |
| #2 | -30.37% Sep 3, 2021 - Mar 1, 2024 | -29.41% Mar 17, 2008 - Sep 16, 2009 |
| #3 | -22.07% May 15, 2015 - Apr 25, 2017 | -22.00% Aug 6, 2020 - Mar 4, 2024 |
| #4 | -14.42% Jul 3, 2014 - May 14, 2015 | -21.79% May 12, 2006 - Sep 18, 2007 |
| #5 | -13.76% Mar 19, 2025 - Apr 29, 2025 | -19.21% Jan 29, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026 |
| #6 | -11.50% Feb 25, 2026 - Mar 20, 2026 | -12.70% Dec 2, 2009 - May 11, 2010 |
| #7 | -10.26% Sep 26, 2024 - Mar 5, 2025 | -10.13% Oct 20, 2025 - Dec 22, 2025 |
| #8 | -10.06% May 21, 2013 - Sep 10, 2013 | -9.52% Dec 3, 2004 - Sep 16, 2005 |
| #9 | -7.44% Jul 12, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024 | -8.12% Oct 30, 2024 - Jan 30, 2025 |
| #10 | -6.74% Jan 21, 2014 - Feb 24, 2014 | -8.04% Dec 6, 2010 - Mar 1, 2011 |
| #11 | -5.36% Nov 12, 2025 - Dec 10, 2025 | -7.59% Jun 18, 2010 - Sep 14, 2010 |
| #12 | -5.31% Jun 15, 2021 - Aug 13, 2021 | -7.11% Apr 21, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025 |
| #13 | -4.92% Mar 27, 2024 - May 9, 2024 | -6.70% Dec 12, 2005 - Jan 3, 2006 |
| #14 | -4.46% Jul 23, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025 | -6.08% Nov 7, 2007 - Dec 28, 2007 |
| #15 | -4.42% Jan 8, 2021 - Feb 9, 2021 | -5.84% Apr 29, 2011 - Jul 12, 2011 |
Correlation
Correlation between IEFA and GLD is 0.90 which considered as a strong positive correlation - the stocks tend to move together.
0.90
-101
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