DEEF vs. SHYL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEEF (Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF) and SHYL (Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DEEF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex US Comprehensive Factor Net Tax (US RIC) Index, while SHYL is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market 0-5 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DEEF returned 7.51%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for SHYL. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEEF charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SHYL.

Performance

DEEF vs. SHYL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF (DEEF) and Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEEF achieves a 10.24% return, which is significantly higher than SHYL's 1.15% return.

DEEF

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.38%
• YTD: 10.24%
• 6M: 13.08%
• 1Y: 23.80%
• 3Y*: 17.65%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: 8.28%

SHYL

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 6.04%
• 3Y*: 8.28%
• 5Y*: 4.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

DEEF vs. SHYL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DEEF Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF	10.24%	32.36%	2.77%	16.99%	-16.94%	9.22%	7.90%	19.30%	-16.18%
SHYL Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	1.15%	7.78%	8.52%	11.39%	-5.21%	4.60%	3.64%	10.16%	-0.67%

Correlation

The correlation between DEEF and SHYL is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2018	0.65

The correlation between DEEF and SHYL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DEEF vs. SHYL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEEF

DEEF Risk / Return Rank: 49
DEEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
DEEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DEEF Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DEEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
DEEF Martin Ratio Rank: 47

SHYL

SHYL Risk / Return Rank: 66
SHYL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SHYL Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SHYL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SHYL Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SHYL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DEEF vs. SHYL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF (DEEF) and Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL). 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.

	DEEF	SHYL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.90	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.89	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.38	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	3.81	-1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.82	15.01	-7.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEEF vs. SHYL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the SHYL Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEEF and SHYL, 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

	DEEF	SHYL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	1.90	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.84	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.72	-0.22

Drawdowns

DEEF vs. SHYL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEEF drawdown since its inception was -36.48%, which is greater than SHYL's maximum drawdown of -19.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEEF and SHYL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEEF	SHYL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.48%	-19.26%	-17.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.64%	-1.59%	-9.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.07%	-4.73%	-6.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.08%	-9.60%	-21.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.48%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.63%	-0.23%	-3.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-1.54%	-5.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	0.40%	+2.65%

Volatility

DEEF vs. SHYL - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF (DEEF) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL) at 0.85%. This indicates that DEEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHYL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEEF	SHYL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	0.85%	+3.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	2.45%	+9.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.53%	3.20%	+10.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	5.84%	+9.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.29%	6.69%	+9.60%

DEEF vs. SHYL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEEF has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SHYL's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DEEF vs. SHYL - Dividend Comparison

DEEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, less than SHYL's 6.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DEEF Xtrackers FTSE Developed ex US Multifactor ETF	3.38%	3.63%	4.04%	3.96%	3.31%	3.84%	2.71%	3.74%	2.80%	2.61%	4.35%
SHYL Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	6.94%	7.02%	7.26%	6.60%	5.52%	4.65%	6.16%	5.93%	5.54%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEEF and SHYL in my portfolio?

DEEF and SHYL have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEEF or SHYL?

DEEF has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to SHYL (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEEF dropped -36.48% vs SHYL's -19.26%.

Which ETF is better, DEEF or SHYL?

On 5-year performance, DEEF leads with 7.51% vs 4.87% for SHYL. On fees, SHYL is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SHYL has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEEF or SHYL?

Over the 5-year period, DEEF has performed better with a 7.51% return vs 4.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEEF or SHYL?

SHYL is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for DEEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEEF or SHYL?

SHYL has the higher dividend yield at 6.94%, compared with 3.38% for DEEF.

What is the main difference between DEEF and SHYL?

DEEF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SHYL is High Yield Bonds. DEEF tracks FTSE Developed ex US Comprehensive Factor Net Tax (US RIC) Index, while SHYL tracks Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market 0-5 Year Index. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DEEF and 0.20% for SHYL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHYL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.77), 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.