EFA vs SPY — 24-Year Performance Comparison
International Developed vs S&P 500 — backtested 2001–2024
SPY wins$69,247 vs $33,507 on $10,000 over 24 years
EFAInternational Developed
Final value$33,507
CAGR+5.2%
Max drawdown-41.0%
Best year+40% (2003)
Years won11 of 24
SPYS&P 500
Final value$69,247
CAGR+8.4%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+32% (2013)
Years won13 of 24
Growth of $10,000
2001–2024EFASPY
EFA$33,507
SPY$69,247
50/50 mix$49,446
50/50 blend: $49,446 (+6.9%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between EFA and SPY would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than SPY but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: EFA vs SPY
| Year | EFA | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +3.5% | +23.3% | SPY |
| 2023 | +18.4% | +26.3% | SPY |
| 2022 | -14.4% | -18.2% | EFA |
| 2021 | +11.4% | +28.7% | SPY |
| 2020 | +7.6% | +18.4% | SPY |
| 2019 | +22.0% | +31.5% | SPY |
| 2018 | -13.8% | -4.4% | SPY |
| 2017 | +25.1% | +21.8% | EFA |
| 2016 | +1.4% | +12.0% | SPY |
| 2015 | -1.0% | +1.4% | SPY |
| 2014 | -6.2% | +13.7% | SPY |
| 2013 | +21.4% | +32.4% | SPY |
| 2012 | +18.8% | +16.0% | EFA |
| 2011 | -12.2% | +2.1% | SPY |
| 2010 | +8.2% | +15.1% | SPY |
| 2009 | +27.0% | +26.5% | EFA |
| 2008 | -41.0% | -37.0% | SPY |
| 2007 | +9.9% | +5.5% | EFA |
| 2006 | +25.8% | +15.8% | EFA |
| 2005 | +13.3% | +4.9% | EFA |
| 2004 | +19.0% | +10.9% | EFA |
| 2003 | +40.3% | +28.7% | EFA |
| 2002 | -15.4% | -22.1% | EFA |
| 2001 | -5.2% | -11.9% | EFA |
More comparisons
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