EASG vs. HDEF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EASG (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF) and HDEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Deutsche Bank - EASG tracks the MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Index while HDEF tracks the MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EASG returned 7.13%/yr vs 10.18%/yr for HDEF. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EASG charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HDEF.

Performance

EASG vs. HDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) 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, EASG achieves a 8.96% return, which is significantly higher than HDEF's 5.00% return.

EASG

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 8.96%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 18.95%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: —

HDEF

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -1.91%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 7.21%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 10.18%
• 10Y*: 8.69%

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

EASG vs. HDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EASG Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF	8.96%	25.19%	2.26%	18.80%	-16.94%	11.36%	10.73%	23.66%	-5.41%
HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF	5.00%	33.01%	2.85%	18.53%	-2.51%	6.95%	-1.90%	25.02%	-5.99%

Correlation

The correlation between EASG and HDEF is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2018	0.87

The correlation between EASG and HDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EASG vs. HDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EASG	HDEF
Financial Services	23.5%	26.9%
Industrials	18.5%	8.8%
Technology	12.8%	0.6%
Healthcare	10.3%	14.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	17.9%
Basic Materials	6.0%	0.7%
Communication Services	5.6%	4.0%
Utilities	4.7%	8.4%
Energy	3.4%	13.8%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.9%

Return for Risk

EASG vs. HDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

EASG

EASG Risk / Return Rank: 35
EASG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
EASG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
EASG Omega Ratio Rank: 32
EASG Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
EASG Martin Ratio Rank: 40

HDEF

HDEF Risk / Return Rank: 41
HDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
HDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 40
HDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
HDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

EASG vs. HDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) 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.

	EASG	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.41	-0.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	1.99	-0.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	2.13	-0.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.39	6.67	-0.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EASG vs. HDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EASG Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the HDEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EASG 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

	EASG	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	1.41	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.72	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.45	+0.07

Drawdowns

EASG vs. HDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EASG drawdown since its inception was -32.06%, smaller than the maximum HDEF drawdown of -36.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EASG and HDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	EASG	HDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.06%	-36.43%	+4.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.74%	-8.03%	-3.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.14%	-11.15%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.42%	-23.63%	-7.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-4.78%	+4.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-5.04%	-1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	2.56%	+0.61%

Volatility

EASG vs. HDEF - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) has a higher volatility of 5.03% compared to Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) at 3.93%. This indicates that EASG'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

	EASG	HDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.03%	3.93%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.55%	9.15%	+3.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.57%	11.64%	+3.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	14.14%	+2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	16.24%	+2.11%

EASG vs. HDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

EASG has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than HDEF's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EASG vs. HDEF - Dividend Comparison

EASG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, more than HDEF's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EASG Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF	3.84%	4.18%	2.93%	2.51%	2.47%	2.69%	1.70%	2.94%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF	3.61%	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 EASG and HDEF in my portfolio?

EASG and HDEF have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EASG or HDEF?

EASG has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to HDEF (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EASG dropped -32.06% vs HDEF's -36.43%.

Which ETF is better, EASG or HDEF?

On 5-year performance, HDEF leads with 10.18% vs 7.13% for EASG. On fees, EASG is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, HDEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EASG or HDEF?

Over the 5-year period, HDEF has performed better with a 10.18% return vs 7.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EASG or HDEF?

EASG is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HDEF.

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

EASG has the higher dividend yield at 3.84%, compared with 3.61% for HDEF.

What is the main difference between EASG and HDEF?

EASG tracks MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Index, while HDEF tracks MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for EASG and 0.20% for HDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.23), 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.