VEA vs IEFA: How Index Rules Shape Developed-Market Exposure

Core Insights - The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) target developed markets outside the U.S. but differ in index rules, impacting portfolio construction [1][10] - VEA has a lower expense ratio and broader country coverage, while IEFA offers a higher dividend yield [2][4] Cost & Size Comparison - VEA has an expense ratio of 0.03% and assets under management (AUM) of $260.0 billion, while IEFA has an expense ratio of 0.07% and AUM of $160.6 billion [3][4] - The one-year return for VEA is 29.1%, compared to IEFA's 25.8%, and the dividend yield for VEA is 2.7% versus IEFA's 2.93% [3][4] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over five years, VEA's maximum drawdown is 29.71%, while IEFA's is 30.41% [5] - A $1,000 investment in VEA would grow to $1,324, while the same investment in IEFA would grow to $1,284 over five years [5] Holdings & Sector Allocations - IEFA holds 2,593 stocks with significant allocations in Financial Services (22%), Industrials (20%), and Healthcare (10%), with top positions including ASML Holding and Roche Holding [6] - VEA includes 3,873 companies, with sector weights of 24% in Financial Services, 19% in Industrials, and 11% in Technology, featuring top positions in ASML Holding and Samsung Electronics [7] Investment Implications - The choice between VEA and IEFA hinges on how investors define developed markets, with VEA including Canada and South Korea, while IEFA adheres to the MSCI EAFE framework [11]