DGZ vs. HDEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGZ (DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes) and HDEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGZ is a Inverse Commodities fund tracking the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%), while HDEF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGZ returned -8.68%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for HDEF. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. DGZ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HDEF.

Performance

DGZ vs. HDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGZ achieves a 2.71% return, which is significantly lower than HDEF's 3.99% return. Over the past 10 years, DGZ has underperformed HDEF with an annualized return of -8.68%, while HDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 8.59% annualized return.

DGZ

• 1D: 4.82%
• 1M: 16.59%
• YTD: 2.71%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: -15.32%
• 3Y*: -16.62%
• 5Y*: -10.05%
• 10Y*: -8.68%

HDEF

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -1.35%
• YTD: 3.99%
• 6M: 6.18%
• 1Y: 15.90%
• 3Y*: 16.39%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

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

DGZ vs. HDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	2.71%	-32.55%	-16.46%	-4.75%	4.93%	1.53%	-20.80%	-13.42%	4.88%	-11.36%
HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF	3.99%	33.01%	2.85%	18.53%	-2.51%	6.95%	-1.90%	25.02%	-13.74%	9.89%

Correlation

The correlation between DGZ and HDEF is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2015	-0.10

The correlation between DGZ and HDEF shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (5 years) to -0.09 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DGZ vs. HDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGZ

DGZ Risk / Return Rank: 7
DGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
DGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
DGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 8
DGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
DGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 5

HDEF

HDEF Risk / Return Rank: 38
HDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
HDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
HDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 37
HDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

DGZ vs. HDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF). 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.

	DGZ	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.23	1.37	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.11	1.94	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.25	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.40	1.99	-2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.70	6.16	-6.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGZ vs. HDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.23, which is lower than the HDEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGZ and HDEF, 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

	DGZ	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.23	1.37	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.29	0.70	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.32	0.53	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.31	0.45	-0.76

Drawdowns

DGZ vs. HDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGZ drawdown since its inception was -86.32%, which is greater than HDEF's maximum drawdown of -36.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGZ and HDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGZ	HDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.32%	-36.43%	-49.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.32%	-8.03%	-30.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-59.54%	-11.15%	-48.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.54%	-23.63%	-37.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-71.49%	-36.43%	-35.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-82.41%	-5.69%	-76.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.74%	-5.04%	-52.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.80%	2.59%	+19.21%

Volatility

DGZ vs. HDEF - Volatility Comparison

DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ) has a higher volatility of 45.00% compared to Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) at 3.75%. This indicates that DGZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGZ	HDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	45.00%	3.75%	+41.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.96%	9.20%	+45.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.38%	11.67%	+54.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.24%	14.14%	+21.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.40%	16.24%	+11.16%

DGZ vs. HDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGZ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than HDEF's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGZ vs. HDEF - Dividend Comparison

DGZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF	3.65%	3.88%	4.53%	4.38%	5.41%	4.76%	3.93%	4.20%	3.55%	3.38%	9.53%	1.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGZ and HDEF in my portfolio?

DGZ and HDEF have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGZ or HDEF?

DGZ has higher volatility (45.00%) compared to HDEF (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGZ dropped -86.32% vs HDEF's -36.43%.

Which ETF is better, DGZ or HDEF?

On 10-year performance, HDEF leads with 8.59% vs -8.68% for DGZ. On fees, HDEF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, HDEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DGZ or HDEF?

Over the 10-year period, HDEF has performed better with a 8.59% return vs -8.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGZ or HDEF?

HDEF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for DGZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DGZ or HDEF?

HDEF has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 0.00% for DGZ.

What is the main difference between DGZ and HDEF?

DGZ is categorized as Inverse Commodities, while HDEF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. DGZ tracks Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%), while HDEF tracks MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for DGZ and 0.20% for HDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.23), 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.