FEP vs. DBEU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) and DBEU (Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - FEP tracks the Defined Europe Index while DBEU tracks the MSCI Europe US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEP returned 11.34%/yr vs 12.08%/yr for DBEU. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEP charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DBEU.

Performance

FEP vs. DBEU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEP achieves a 8.79% return, which is significantly lower than DBEU's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, FEP has underperformed DBEU with an annualized return of 11.34%, while DBEU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.08% annualized return.

FEP

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: 8.79%
• 6M: 9.16%
• 1Y: 30.45%
• 3Y*: 24.42%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 11.34%

DBEU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 12.15%
• 1Y: 24.82%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 11.93%
• 10Y*: 12.08%

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

FEP vs. DBEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	8.79%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	11.54%	22.18%	9.17%	17.43%	-6.25%	23.99%	-1.42%	27.32%	-8.49%	14.60%

Correlation

The correlation between FEP and DBEU is 0.78, 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	0.78
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 FEP and DBEU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEP vs. DBEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

FEP vs. DBEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 54
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DBEU

DBEU Risk / Return Rank: 58
DBEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DBEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DBEU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
DBEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
DBEU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

FEP vs. DBEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FEP	DBEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.92	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.70	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.35	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	2.54	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.69	10.36	-0.66

FEP vs. DBEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the DBEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEP and DBEU, 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

FEP vs. DBEU - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	FEP	DBEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-34.50%	-11.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-9.81%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.83%	-15.35%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.99%	-17.67%	-21.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.05%	-34.50%	-11.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	0.00%	-2.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.99%	-4.43%	-7.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	2.40%	+0.75%

Volatility

FEP vs. DBEU - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund (DBEU) at 3.94%. This indicates that FEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEP	DBEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	3.94%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.52%	10.93%	+3.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.15%	13.01%	+4.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.72%	14.38%	+5.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.68%	16.43%	+4.25%

FEP vs. DBEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FEP vs. DBEU - Dividend Comparison

FEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than DBEU's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	1.42%	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	3.01%	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 FEP and DBEU in my portfolio?

FEP and DBEU have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEP or DBEU?

FEP has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to DBEU (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEP dropped -46.05% vs DBEU's -34.50%.

Which ETF is better, FEP or DBEU?

On 10-year performance, DBEU leads with 12.08% vs 11.34% for FEP. On fees, DBEU is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, DBEU has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEP or DBEU?

Over the 10-year period, DBEU has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 11.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEP or DBEU?

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

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

FEP has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 1.42% for DBEU.

What is the main difference between FEP and DBEU?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.79), 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.