TLT vs EFA — 21-Year Performance Comparison
Long-Term Treasuries vs International Developed — backtested 2004–2024
EFA wins$29,782 vs $20,150 on $10,000 over 21 years
TLTLong-Term Treasuries
Final value$20,150
CAGR+3.4%
Max drawdown-38.0%
Best year+34% (2011)
Years won7 of 21
EFAInternational Developed
Final value$29,782
CAGR+5.3%
Max drawdown-41.0%
Best year+27% (2009)
Years won14 of 21
Growth of $10,000
2004–2024TLTEFA
TLT$20,150
EFA$29,782
50/50 mix$29,581
50/50 blend: $29,581 (+5.3%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between TLT and EFA would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than EFA but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: TLT vs EFA
| Year | TLT | EFA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -8.1% | +3.5% | EFA |
| 2023 | +2.8% | +18.4% | EFA |
| 2022 | -31.2% | -14.4% | EFA |
| 2021 | -4.6% | +11.4% | EFA |
| 2020 | +18.1% | +7.6% | TLT |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +22.0% | EFA |
| 2018 | -1.6% | -13.8% | TLT |
| 2017 | +9.2% | +25.1% | EFA |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +1.4% | EFA |
| 2015 | -1.8% | -1.0% | EFA |
| 2014 | +27.3% | -6.2% | TLT |
| 2013 | -13.4% | +21.4% | EFA |
| 2012 | +2.6% | +18.8% | EFA |
| 2011 | +34.0% | -12.2% | TLT |
| 2010 | +9.1% | +8.2% | TLT |
| 2009 | -21.8% | +27.0% | EFA |
| 2008 | +33.9% | -41.0% | TLT |
| 2007 | +10.3% | +9.9% | TLT |
| 2006 | +0.7% | +25.8% | EFA |
| 2005 | +8.8% | +13.3% | EFA |
| 2004 | +7.9% | +19.0% | EFA |
More comparisons
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