HDEF vs. FID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HDEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF) and FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - HDEF tracks the MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index while FID tracks the S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HDEF returned 9.83%/yr vs 7.74%/yr for FID. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HDEF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FID.

Performance

HDEF vs. FID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HDEF achieves a 3.99% return, which is significantly lower than FID's 8.56% return.

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%

FID

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 2.56%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 10.95%
• 1Y: 23.28%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

HDEF vs. FID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%	-11.57%
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	8.56%	32.07%	5.42%	9.92%	-9.69%	12.90%	-7.56%	20.82%	-8.00%

Correlation

The correlation between HDEF and FID is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2018	0.79

The correlation between HDEF and FID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

HDEF vs. FID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HDEF	FID
Financial Services	26.9%	20.8%
Consumer Defensive	17.9%	3.7%
Healthcare	14.0%	3.5%
Energy	13.8%	8.0%
Industrials	8.8%	13.5%
Utilities	8.4%	17.4%
Communication Services	4.0%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	4.0%
Real Estate	0.9%	9.4%
Basic Materials	0.7%	4.3%
Technology	0.6%	4.1%

Return for Risk

HDEF vs. FID — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

FID

FID Risk / Return Rank: 62
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

HDEF vs. FID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). 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.

	HDEF	FID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	2.30	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.26	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.41	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	2.62	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.16	9.14	-2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HDEF vs. FID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HDEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is lower than the FID Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HDEF and FID, 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

	HDEF	FID	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	2.30	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.46	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.39	+0.05

Drawdowns

HDEF vs. FID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HDEF drawdown since its inception was -36.43%, smaller than the maximum FID drawdown of -39.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HDEF and FID.

Drawdown Indicators

	HDEF	FID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.43%	-39.79%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.03%	-8.93%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.15%	-10.97%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.63%	-29.13%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.69%	-1.11%	-4.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-8.47%	+3.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.55%	+0.04%

Volatility

HDEF vs. FID - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) has a higher volatility of 3.75% compared to First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) at 3.00%. This indicates that HDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HDEF	FID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	3.00%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	8.12%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.67%	10.16%	+1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.14%	17.04%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.24%	18.96%	-2.72%

HDEF vs. FID - Expense Ratio Comparison

HDEF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FID's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

HDEF vs. FID - Dividend Comparison

HDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than FID's 4.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	4.02%	4.30%	4.31%	4.19%	4.22%	3.76%	3.91%	3.70%	1.74%	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 HDEF and FID in my portfolio?

HDEF and FID have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HDEF or FID?

HDEF has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to FID (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HDEF dropped -36.43% vs FID's -39.79%.

Which ETF is better, HDEF or FID?

On 5-year performance, HDEF leads with 9.83% vs 7.74% for FID. On fees, HDEF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HDEF or FID?

Over the 5-year period, HDEF has performed better with a 9.83% return vs 7.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HDEF or FID?

HDEF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FID.

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

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.02%, compared with 3.65% for HDEF.

What is the main difference between HDEF and FID?

HDEF tracks MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index, while FID tracks S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: Deutsche Bank and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for HDEF and 0.60% for FID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.37), 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.