When holding the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) ETF, how long should you stay invested to have high probability to achieve a positive return?

Over the selected period (~14 years), the longest duration with a negative return was 76 months (from December 2013 to March 2020).

This indicates that, within the same timeframe, any rolling period of 77 months or more has consistently resulted in a positive return.

Understanding this metric is crucial as it highlights the importance of a safe investment horizon. Knowing the minimum duration required to likely see positive returns helps investors set realistic expectations and reinforces the strategy of staying invested through market cycles. This approach can mitigate the emotional reactions to short-term market fluctuations and enhance the likelihood of achieving financial goals.

Rolling Returns

A rolling return is a measure of investment performance that calculates the return of an investment over a set period of time, with the starting date rolling forward. This approach can provide a more accurate representation of the investment's historical performance and helps investors to evaluate the investment's consistency over time.

ISHARES CORE MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) ETF
Annualized Rolling Returns
Annualized Rolling Returns - Inflation Adjusted
Time Period: 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2026 (10 Years)
Time Period: 1 January 2013 - 30 June 2026 (~14 years)
All Data
(2013/01 - 2026/06)
US Inflation Adjusted:

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Rolling Period Analysis

By selecting the 'Rolling Period', the chart and data will update. To study a different date range, change the simulation settings.

ISHARES CORE MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) ETF
Rolling Returns Chart
Rolling Returns Chart - Inflation Adjusted
Time Period: 1 January 2013 - 30 June 2026 (~14 years)
Over Time
Histogram
US Inflation Adjusted:

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Swipe left to see all data
Worst Median Best Negative Periods
-26.28%
Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
+8.52% +47.51%
Apr 2020 - Mar 2021
33.11%
50 out of 151
-31.87%
Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
+5.51% +43.75%
Apr 2020 - Mar 2021
38.41%
58 out of 151
-10.12%
Apr 2018 - Mar 2020
+6.67% +25.18%
Oct 2022 - Sep 2024
25.90%
36 out of 139
-11.67%
Nov 2021 - Oct 2023
+4.34% +21.48%
Oct 2022 - Sep 2024
37.41%
52 out of 139
-2.01%
Oct 2019 - Sep 2022
+5.35% +21.93%
Oct 2022 - Sep 2025
7.87%
10 out of 127
-6.62%
Oct 2019 - Sep 2022
+2.51% +18.30%
Oct 2022 - Sep 2025
29.13%
37 out of 127
-1.87%
Oct 2018 - Sep 2022
+5.33% +16.77%
Jul 2022 - Jun 2026
0.87%
1 out of 115
-5.75%
Oct 2018 - Sep 2022
+2.99% +13.19%
Jul 2022 - Jun 2026
13.91%
16 out of 115
-0.96%
Oct 2017 - Sep 2022
+6.42% +11.99%
Nov 2020 - Oct 2025
2.91%
3 out of 103
-4.54%
Oct 2017 - Sep 2022
+3.28% +8.01%
Mar 2016 - Feb 2021
17.48%
18 out of 103
-0.47%
Apr 2014 - Mar 2020
+5.43% +13.85%
Apr 2020 - Mar 2026
1.10%
1 out of 91
-1.94%
Apr 2014 - Mar 2020
+2.86% +9.26%
Apr 2020 - Mar 2026
8.79%
8 out of 91
+1.99%
Apr 2013 - Mar 2020
+5.75% +10.78%
Jun 2019 - May 2026
0.00%
0 out of 79
-0.44%
Nov 2015 - Oct 2022
+2.90% +6.60%
Jun 2019 - May 2026
3.80%
3 out of 79
+1.62%
Oct 2014 - Sep 2022
+6.64% +8.69%
Jul 2018 - Jun 2026
0.00%
0 out of 67
-1.15%
Oct 2014 - Sep 2022
+3.31% +5.67%
Jul 2013 - Jun 2021
5.97%
4 out of 67
+1.87%
Oct 2013 - Sep 2022
+5.69% +9.70%
Mar 2017 - Feb 2026
0.00%
0 out of 55
-0.79%
Oct 2013 - Sep 2022
+2.59% +6.17%
Mar 2017 - Feb 2026
3.64%
2 out of 55
+3.32%
Nov 2013 - Oct 2023
+5.43% +10.36%
Mar 2016 - Feb 2026
0.00%
0 out of 43
+0.52%
Nov 2013 - Oct 2023
+2.48% +6.87%
Mar 2016 - Feb 2026
0.00%
0 out of 43
+4.31%
Jan 2014 - Dec 2024
+5.94% +8.03%
Feb 2015 - Jan 2026
0.00%
0 out of 31
+1.48%
Jan 2014 - Dec 2024
+3.19% +4.84%
Feb 2015 - Jan 2026
0.00%
0 out of 31
+5.72%
Jan 2013 - Dec 2024
+6.51% +7.28%
Feb 2014 - Jan 2026
0.00%
0 out of 19
+2.95%
Jan 2013 - Dec 2024
+3.66% +4.38%
Feb 2014 - Jan 2026
0.00%
0 out of 19
+7.30%
Apr 2013 - Mar 2026
+7.66% +8.12%
Mar 2013 - Feb 2026
0.00%
0 out of 7
+4.42%
May 2013 - Apr 2026
+4.85% +5.32%
Mar 2013 - Feb 2026
0.00%
0 out of 7
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