IEFA vs. DBEF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and DBEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while DBEF is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.37%/yr vs 12.28%/yr for DBEF. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for DBEF.

Performance

IEFA vs. DBEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than DBEF's 9.52% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed DBEF with an annualized return of 9.37%, while DBEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.28% annualized return.

IEFA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

DBEF

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.44%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 6M: 11.55%
• 1Y: 22.84%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 12.28%

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

IEFA vs. DBEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	9.52%	23.16%	13.40%	20.15%	-5.13%	19.60%	2.03%	24.94%	-9.52%	16.74%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and DBEF is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.87

The correlation between IEFA and DBEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. DBEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	DBEF
Financial Services	22.5%	24.6%
Industrials	20.1%	19.9%
Technology	10.8%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.5%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	7.5%
Basic Materials	7.0%	5.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	6.8%
Communication Services	4.4%	4.5%
Energy	3.8%	4.1%
Utilities	3.6%	3.9%
Real Estate	3.0%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. DBEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 40
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

DBEF

DBEF Risk / Return Rank: 60
DBEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DBEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DBEF Omega Ratio Rank: 61
DBEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DBEF Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

IEFA vs. DBEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF). 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.

	IEFA	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.83	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.56	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	2.44	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	10.24	-3.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEFA vs. DBEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the DBEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and DBEF, 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

	IEFA	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.83	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.95	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.78	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.55	-0.04

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. DBEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than DBEF's maximum drawdown of -32.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and DBEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	DBEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-32.46%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-9.41%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-14.62%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.41%	-14.95%	-15.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-32.46%	-2.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-1.26%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-4.73%	-1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.24%	+0.78%

Volatility

IEFA vs. DBEF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) at 3.60%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	DBEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	3.60%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	10.41%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	12.59%	+2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	13.78%	+2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	15.81%	+1.51%

IEFA vs. DBEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than DBEF's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. DBEF - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than DBEF's 5.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	5.07%	5.55%	1.29%	4.46%	15.85%	2.28%	2.41%	3.03%	3.22%	2.98%	2.55%	3.70%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.30%	3.55%	3.47%	3.20%	2.70%	3.32%	1.90%	3.18%	3.46%	2.57%	2.96%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and DBEF in my portfolio?

IEFA and DBEF have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEFA or DBEF?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to DBEF (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs DBEF's -32.46%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or DBEF?

On 10-year performance, DBEF leads with 12.28% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, DBEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or DBEF?

Over the 10-year period, DBEF has performed better with a 12.28% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or DBEF?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for DBEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEFA or DBEF?

DBEF has the higher dividend yield at 5.07%, compared with 3.30% for IEFA.

What is the main difference between IEFA and DBEF?

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DBEF is Hedge Fund. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while DBEF tracks MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and DWS. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.36% for DBEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.30), 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.