EFA vs HYG
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF vs iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
Last updated: 2026-04-02
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to equities in developed international markets outside the U.S.. It charges an above-average expense ratio of 0.32%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.29%. Launched in 2001, the fund has a 25-year track record.
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to below-investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds offering higher yields. It charges an above-average expense ratio of 0.49%. The fund offers a high dividend yield of 5.88%. Launched in 2007, the fund has a 19-year track record.
Quick Verdict
EFA is significantly cheaper at 0.32% vs 0.49% expense ratio, saving you approximately $329 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, EFA has significantly outperformed with a 20.5% return vs 0.9%. Income investors may prefer HYG for its higher yield (5.9% vs 3.3%).
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
EFA Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| ASML Holding N.V.!ams/ASML | 2.54% |
| AstraZeneca PLC!lon/AZN | 1.46% |
| Novartis AG!swx/NOVN | 1.41% |
| Roche Holding AG!swx/ROP | 1.36% |
| HSBC Holdings plc!lon/HSBA | 1.36% |
| Shell plc!lon/SHEL | 1.31% |
| Nestlé S.A.!swx/NESN | 1.22% |
| Toyota Motor Corporation!tyo/7203 | 1.00% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia!asx/CBA | 0.99% |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.!tyo/8306 | 0.95% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose EFA if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose EFA if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Choose HYG if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.