DBEF vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

DBEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DBEF is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBEF returned 12.28%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for IEFA. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DBEF charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

DBEF vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBEF achieves a 9.52% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 7.49% return. Over the past 10 years, DBEF has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 12.28%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.37% annualized return.

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%

IEFA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

DBEF vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between DBEF and IEFA is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.87

The correlation between DBEF and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

DBEF vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBEF	IEFA
Financial Services	24.6%	22.5%
Industrials	19.9%	20.1%
Healthcare	10.5%	9.5%
Technology	10.3%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	6.6%
Basic Materials	5.9%	7.0%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.4%
Energy	4.1%	3.8%
Utilities	3.9%	3.6%
Real Estate	1.9%	3.0%

Return for Risk

DBEF vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 40
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

DBEF vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). 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.

	DBEF	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.30	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	1.88	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.24	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	1.71	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.24	6.52	+3.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBEF vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBEF and IEFA, 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

	DBEF	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	1.30	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95	0.47	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.54	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.50	+0.04

Drawdowns

DBEF vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBEF drawdown since its inception was -32.46%, smaller than the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBEF and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBEF	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.46%	-34.78%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-11.50%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.62%	-13.76%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.95%	-30.41%	+15.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.46%	-34.78%	+2.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	-2.44%	+1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.73%	-6.69%	+1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	3.02%	-0.78%

Volatility

DBEF vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) is 3.60%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 4.54%. This indicates that DBEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBEF	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	4.54%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.41%	12.74%	-2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.59%	15.22%	-2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.78%	16.55%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.81%	17.32%	-1.51%

DBEF vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBEF has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBEF vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

DBEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, more than IEFA's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.30%	3.55%	3.47%	3.20%	2.70%	3.32%	1.90%	3.18%	3.46%	2.57%	2.96%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBEF and IEFA in my portfolio?

DBEF and IEFA have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBEF or IEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to DBEF (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBEF dropped -32.46% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which ETF is better, DBEF or IEFA?

On 10-year performance, DBEF leads with 12.28% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, DBEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBEF or IEFA?

Over the 10-year period, DBEF has performed better with a 12.28% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBEF or IEFA?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for DBEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBEF or IEFA?

DBEF has the higher dividend yield at 5.07%, compared with 3.30% for IEFA.

What is the main difference between DBEF and IEFA?

DBEF is categorized as Hedge Fund, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. DBEF tracks MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: DWS and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for DBEF and 0.07% for IEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.30), 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.