BRK-B vs. DBEF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while DBEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF) is Hedge Fund fund tracking the MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B returned 13.14%/yr vs 12.28%/yr for DBEF. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRK-B achieves a -3.11% return, which is significantly lower than DBEF's 9.52% return. Over the past 10 years, BRK-B has outperformed DBEF with an annualized return of 13.14%, while DBEF has yielded a comparatively lower 12.28% annualized return.

BRK-B

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: -3.11%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -1.32%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

DBEF

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.44%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 6M: 11.55%
• 1Y: 22.84%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 12.28%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-3.11%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	9.52%	23.16%	13.40%	20.15%	-5.13%	19.60%	2.03%	24.94%	-9.52%	16.74%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and DBEF is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2011	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and DBEF has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. DBEF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 35
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 37

DBEF

DBEF Risk / Return Rank: 60
DBEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DBEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DBEF Omega Ratio Rank: 61
DBEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DBEF Martin Ratio Rank: 62

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BRK-B	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	1.83	-1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	2.56	-2.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.34	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	2.44	-2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	10.24	-10.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the DBEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B and DBEF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BRK-B	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	1.83	-1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.95	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.78	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.55	-0.06

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than DBEF's maximum drawdown of -32.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and DBEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	DBEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-32.46%	-21.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-9.41%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-14.62%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-14.95%	-11.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	-32.46%	+2.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-1.26%	-8.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-4.73%	-6.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	2.24%	+2.25%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) at 3.60%. This indicates that BRK-B's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	DBEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.60%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	10.41%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	12.59%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	13.78%	+3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	15.81%	+3.63%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. DBEF - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DBEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	5.07%	5.55%	1.29%	4.46%	15.85%	2.28%	2.41%	3.03%	3.22%	2.98%	2.55%	3.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRK-B and DBEF in my portfolio?

BRK-B and DBEF have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or DBEF?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to DBEF (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs DBEF's -32.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.