DBEU vs. FEP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DBEU (Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund) and FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - DBEU tracks the MSCI Europe US Dollar Hedged Index while FEP tracks the Defined Europe Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DBEU returned 12.00%/yr vs 11.19%/yr for FEP. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DBEU charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEP.

Performance

DBEU vs. FEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund (DBEU) and First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBEU achieves a 10.66% return, which is significantly higher than FEP's 7.28% return. Over the past 10 years, DBEU has outperformed FEP with an annualized return of 12.00%, while FEP has yielded a comparatively lower 11.19% annualized return.

DBEU

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 11.19%
• 1Y: 23.41%
• 3Y*: 16.46%
• 5Y*: 11.52%
• 10Y*: 12.00%

FEP

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -2.05%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 7.31%
• 1Y: 27.23%
• 3Y*: 23.84%
• 5Y*: 9.54%
• 10Y*: 11.19%

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

DBEU vs. FEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	10.66%	22.18%	9.17%	17.43%	-6.25%	23.99%	-1.42%	27.32%	-8.49%	14.60%
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	7.28%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%

Correlation

The correlation between DBEU and FEP is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2013	0.78

The correlation between DBEU and FEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

DBEU vs. FEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBEU	FEP
Financial Services	23.3%	10.0%
Industrials	19.7%	26.0%
Healthcare	12.9%	4.7%
Technology	9.6%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	11.1%
Basic Materials	5.6%	11.6%
Energy	4.9%	10.2%
Utilities	4.7%	6.8%
Communication Services	3.7%	3.6%
Real Estate	0.7%	5.0%

Return for Risk

DBEU vs. FEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBEU

DBEU Risk / Return Rank: 56
DBEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DBEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
DBEU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DBEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DBEU Martin Ratio Rank: 58

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 49
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

DBEU vs. FEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund (DBEU) and First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DBEU	FEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.59	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.22	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.29	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.25	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.76	8.64	+1.12

DBEU vs. FEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the FEP Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBEU and FEP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DBEU vs. FEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBEU drawdown since its inception was -34.50%, smaller than the maximum FEP drawdown of -46.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBEU and FEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBEU	FEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.50%	-46.05%	+11.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.81%	-12.13%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.35%	-15.83%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.67%	-38.99%	+21.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.50%	-46.05%	+11.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-3.89%	+3.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.43%	-11.99%	+7.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	3.16%	-0.76%

Volatility

DBEU vs. FEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund (DBEU) is 4.00%, while First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) has a volatility of 5.32%. This indicates that DBEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBEU	FEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	5.32%	-1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.95%	14.58%	-3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	17.18%	-4.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	19.72%	-5.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.27%	20.33%	-4.06%

DBEU vs. FEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBEU has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FEP's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBEU vs. FEP - Dividend Comparison

DBEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than FEP's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	1.43%	4.55%	0.07%	3.64%	1.96%	1.87%	2.44%	2.77%	3.55%	2.28%	9.92%	5.50%
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	3.05%	3.33%	4.94%	3.27%	3.00%	3.49%	2.32%	2.63%	2.62%	1.65%	2.14%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBEU and FEP in my portfolio?

DBEU and FEP have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBEU or FEP?

FEP has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to DBEU (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBEU dropped -34.50% vs FEP's -46.05%.

Which ETF is better, DBEU or FEP?

On 10-year performance, DBEU leads with 12.00% vs 11.19% for FEP. On fees, DBEU is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, DBEU has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBEU or FEP?

Over the 10-year period, DBEU has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 11.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBEU or FEP?

DBEU is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBEU or FEP?

FEP has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 1.43% for DBEU.

What is the main difference between DBEU and FEP?

DBEU tracks MSCI Europe US Dollar Hedged Index, while FEP tracks Defined Europe Index. They also come from different issuers: DWS and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DBEU and 0.80% for FEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.59), 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.