HEZU vs. DBEU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

HEZU (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF) and DBEU (Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - HEZU tracks the MSCI EMU 100% USD Hedged Index while DBEU tracks the MSCI Europe US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HEZU returned 11.73%/yr vs 10.90%/yr for DBEU. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HEZU charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DBEU.

Performance

HEZU vs. DBEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) 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, HEZU achieves a 8.75% return, which is significantly higher than DBEU's 7.33% return. Over the past 10 years, HEZU has outperformed DBEU with an annualized return of 11.73%, while DBEU has yielded a comparatively lower 10.90% annualized return.

HEZU

• 1D: -1.81%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 8.75%
• 6M: 10.10%
• 1Y: 18.64%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: 12.27%
• 10Y*: 11.73%

DBEU

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: 17.18%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 11.16%
• 10Y*: 10.90%

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

HEZU vs. DBEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HEZU iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF	8.75%	25.93%	10.63%	22.98%	-9.54%	23.51%	0.52%	29.48%	-10.23%	14.26%
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	7.33%	22.18%	9.17%	17.43%	-6.25%	23.99%	-1.42%	27.32%	-8.49%	14.60%

Correlation

The correlation between HEZU and DBEU is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2014	0.95

The correlation between HEZU and DBEU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

HEZU vs. DBEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HEZU	DBEU
Financial Services	24.4%	23.2%
Industrials	21.2%	19.8%
Technology	14.5%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	6.3%
Utilities	6.8%	5.1%
Healthcare	5.8%	13.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	8.7%
Energy	4.2%	5.4%
Basic Materials	4.1%	5.6%
Communication Services	4.1%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.8%

Return for Risk

HEZU vs. DBEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEZU

HEZU Risk / Return Rank: 37
HEZU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
HEZU Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
HEZU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
HEZU Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
HEZU Martin Ratio Rank: 43

DBEU

DBEU Risk / Return Rank: 40
DBEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
DBEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
DBEU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
DBEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
DBEU Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

HEZU vs. DBEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) 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.

	HEZU	DBEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.35	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.93	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.24	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	1.76	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.61	7.01	-0.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HEZU vs. DBEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEZU Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the DBEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEZU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HEZU	DBEU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.35	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.78	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.66	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.58	-0.01

Drawdowns

HEZU vs. DBEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEZU drawdown since its inception was -38.80%, which is greater than DBEU's maximum drawdown of -34.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEZU and DBEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEZU	DBEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.80%	-34.50%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.95%	-9.81%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.83%	-15.35%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.79%	-17.67%	-5.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.80%	-34.50%	-4.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.81%	-1.66%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.83%	-4.44%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.46%	+0.37%

Volatility

HEZU vs. DBEU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) has a higher volatility of 4.86% compared to Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund (DBEU) at 4.35%. This indicates that HEZU'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

	HEZU	DBEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.86%	4.35%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.56%	10.65%	+1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.10%	12.82%	+2.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	14.34%	+2.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	16.46%	+1.97%

HEZU vs. DBEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEZU has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than DBEU's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

HEZU vs. DBEU - Dividend Comparison

HEZU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than DBEU's 4.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEU Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity Fund	4.24%	4.55%	0.07%	3.64%	1.96%	1.87%	2.44%	2.77%	3.55%	2.28%	9.92%	5.50%
HEZU iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF	2.69%	2.92%	2.77%	2.52%	23.26%	2.25%	2.32%	5.40%	3.48%	1.92%	3.11%	2.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HEZU and DBEU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, HEZU and DBEU 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 is riskier, HEZU or DBEU?

HEZU has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to DBEU (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEZU dropped -38.80% vs DBEU's -34.50%.

Which ETF is better, HEZU or DBEU?

On 10-year performance, HEZU leads with 11.73% vs 10.90% for DBEU. On fees, DBEU is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, DBEU has been the lower-risk option at 4.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HEZU or DBEU?

Over the 10-year period, HEZU has performed better with a 11.73% return vs 10.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HEZU or DBEU?

DBEU is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for HEZU.

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

DBEU has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 2.69% for HEZU.

What is the main difference between HEZU and DBEU?

HEZU tracks MSCI EMU 100% USD Hedged Index, while DBEU tracks MSCI Europe US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and DWS. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for HEZU and 0.45% for DBEU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.24), 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.