IHDG vs. DBEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IHDG (WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund) and DBEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHDG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index, while DBEF is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IHDG returned 10.09%/yr vs 12.12%/yr for DBEF. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IHDG charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for DBEF.

Performance

IHDG vs. DBEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) 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, IHDG achieves a 5.33% return, which is significantly lower than DBEF's 10.25% return. Over the past 10 years, IHDG has underperformed DBEF with an annualized return of 10.09%, while DBEF has yielded a comparatively higher 12.12% annualized return.

IHDG

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 5.33%
• 6M: 7.48%
• 1Y: 15.52%
• 3Y*: 10.55%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

DBEF

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 4.76%
• YTD: 10.25%
• 6M: 12.54%
• 1Y: 24.51%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 13.11%
• 10Y*: 12.12%

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

IHDG vs. DBEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IHDG WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund	5.33%	14.17%	5.97%	20.00%	-11.53%	19.75%	10.51%	33.42%	-12.03%	21.93%
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	10.25%	23.16%	13.40%	20.15%	-5.13%	19.60%	2.03%	24.94%	-9.52%	16.74%

Correlation

The correlation between IHDG and DBEF 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 (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2014	0.92

The correlation between IHDG and DBEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

IHDG vs. DBEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHDG	DBEF
Industrials	19.7%	19.9%
Consumer Cyclical	19.3%	7.5%
Financial Services	15.2%	24.6%
Healthcare	9.4%	10.5%
Technology	7.8%	10.3%
Basic Materials	5.4%	5.9%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	6.8%
Energy	3.7%	4.1%
Utilities	0.8%	3.9%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IHDG vs. DBEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHDG

IHDG Risk / Return Rank: 31
IHDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IHDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IHDG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IHDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IHDG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

DBEF

DBEF Risk / Return Rank: 57
DBEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DBEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DBEF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
DBEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DBEF 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.

IHDG vs. DBEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) 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.

	IHDG	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.99	-0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	2.80	-1.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.37	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	2.62	-1.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.49	11.01	-5.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IHDG vs. DBEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHDG Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the DBEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHDG 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

	IHDG	DBEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	1.99	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.96	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.77	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.55	+0.04

Drawdowns

IHDG vs. DBEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHDG drawdown since its inception was -29.24%, smaller than the maximum DBEF drawdown of -32.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHDG and DBEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHDG	DBEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.24%	-32.46%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.49%	-9.41%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.88%	-14.62%	-4.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.52%	-14.95%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.24%	-32.46%	+3.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-0.47%	-0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-4.74%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	2.23%	+0.61%

Volatility

IHDG vs. DBEF - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) has a higher volatility of 4.57% compared to Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF (DBEF) at 3.99%. This indicates that IHDG'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

	IHDG	DBEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	3.99%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.16%	10.14%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.55%	12.37%	+1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.82%	13.74%	+1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.76%	15.79%	-0.03%

IHDG vs. DBEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHDG has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than DBEF's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHDG vs. DBEF - Dividend Comparison

IHDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than DBEF's 5.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF	5.03%	5.55%	1.29%	4.46%	15.85%	2.28%	2.41%	3.03%	3.22%	2.98%	2.55%	3.70%
IHDG WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund	1.82%	1.84%	2.42%	1.70%	13.79%	2.77%	1.94%	1.99%	0.22%	1.28%	1.91%	3.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IHDG and DBEF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, IHDG and DBEF 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, IHDG or DBEF?

IHDG has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to DBEF (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHDG dropped -29.24% vs DBEF's -32.46%.

Which ETF is better, IHDG or DBEF?

On 10-year performance, DBEF leads with 12.12% vs 10.09% for IHDG. On fees, DBEF is cheaper at 0.36% per year. On volatility, DBEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHDG or DBEF?

Over the 10-year period, DBEF has performed better with a 12.12% return vs 10.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHDG or DBEF?

DBEF is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for IHDG.

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

DBEF has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 1.82% for IHDG.

What is the main difference between IHDG and DBEF?

IHDG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DBEF is Hedge Fund. IHDG tracks WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index, while DBEF tracks MSCI EAFE US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and DWS. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for IHDG and 0.36% for DBEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.15), 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.