H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

H4Z3.DE (HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and VFEA.DE (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - H4Z3.DE tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets while VFEA.DE tracks the FTSE Emerging. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, H4Z3.DE returned 20.42%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VFEA.DE. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. H4Z3.DE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VFEA.DE.

Performance

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a €10,000 investment in HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (H4Z3.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEA.DE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, H4Z3.DE achieves a 27.75% return, which is significantly higher than VFEA.DE's 12.59% return.

H4Z3.DE

• 1D: -1.67%
• 1M: 3.67%
• YTD: 27.75%
• 6M: 28.22%
• 1Y: 49.05%
• 3Y*: 20.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VFEA.DE

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 12.59%
• 6M: 12.22%
• 1Y: 25.81%
• 3Y*: 15.02%
• 5Y*: 5.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
H4Z3.DE HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	27.75%	18.60%	13.73%	4.66%	-6.26%
VFEA.DE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc	12.59%	11.25%	19.29%	3.31%	-5.76%

Correlation

The correlation between H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2022	0.95

The correlation between H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE — Risk / Return Rank

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

H4Z3.DE

H4Z3.DE Risk / Return Rank: 86
H4Z3.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
H4Z3.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
H4Z3.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 86
H4Z3.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
H4Z3.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VFEA.DE

VFEA.DE Risk / Return Rank: 58
VFEA.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VFEA.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VFEA.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VFEA.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VFEA.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (H4Z3.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEA.DE). 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.

	H4Z3.DE	VFEA.DE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.85	1.82	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	2.60	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.33	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.77	3.17	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.12	10.71	+6.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current H4Z3.DE Sharpe Ratio is 2.85, which is higher than the VFEA.DE Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE, 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

	H4Z3.DE	VFEA.DE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.85	1.82	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.43	+0.47

Drawdowns

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum H4Z3.DE drawdown since its inception was -18.86%, smaller than the maximum VFEA.DE drawdown of -30.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE.

Drawdown Indicators

	H4Z3.DE	VFEA.DE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.86%	-30.51%	+11.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-8.44%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.86%	-18.97%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.73%	-1.85%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-8.59%	+3.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	2.50%	+0.42%

Volatility

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Volatility Comparison

HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (H4Z3.DE) has a higher volatility of 7.35% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEA.DE) at 5.45%. This indicates that H4Z3.DE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFEA.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	H4Z3.DE	VFEA.DE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.35%	5.45%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	11.82%	+3.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.54%	14.70%	+2.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.77%	15.69%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.77%	18.20%	-2.43%

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison

H4Z3.DE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than VFEA.DE's 0.22% 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

H4Z3.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Dividend Comparison

Neither H4Z3.DE nor VFEA.DE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, H4Z3.DE or VFEA.DE?

On fees, H4Z3.DE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, H4Z3.DE or VFEA.DE?

H4Z3.DE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VFEA.DE.

What is the main difference between H4Z3.DE and VFEA.DE?

H4Z3.DE tracks MSCI Emerging Markets, while VFEA.DE tracks FTSE Emerging. They also come from different issuers: HSBC and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for H4Z3.DE and 0.22% for VFEA.DE.