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