WDIV vs. HDEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WDIV (SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF) and HDEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WDIV is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats Index sp_43, while HDEF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, WDIV returned 7.48%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for HDEF. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WDIV charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HDEF.

Performance

WDIV vs. HDEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WDIV achieves a 8.20% return, which is significantly higher than HDEF's 3.99% return. Over the past 10 years, WDIV has underperformed HDEF with an annualized return of 7.48%, while HDEF has yielded a comparatively higher 8.59% annualized return.

WDIV

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 8.20%
• 6M: 10.40%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 7.48%

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%

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

WDIV vs. HDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WDIV SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF	8.20%	27.16%	7.61%	8.21%	-6.92%	14.44%	-10.18%	20.12%	-8.81%	19.03%
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%	-13.74%	9.89%

Correlation

The correlation between WDIV and HDEF is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2015	0.73

The correlation between WDIV and HDEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WDIV vs. HDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WDIV	HDEF
Financial Services	23.1%	26.9%
Utilities	13.8%	8.4%
Real Estate	13.3%	0.9%
Industrials	12.1%	8.8%
Communication Services	9.8%	4.0%
Energy	7.1%	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	17.9%
Healthcare	4.6%	14.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	3.9%
Basic Materials	3.1%	0.7%
Technology	2.9%	0.6%

Return for Risk

WDIV vs. HDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WDIV

WDIV Risk / Return Rank: 59
WDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
WDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
WDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 62
WDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
WDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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

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.

WDIV vs. HDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (WDIV) and Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF). 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.

	WDIV	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.37	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	1.94	+1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.25	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	1.99	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	6.16	+3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WDIV vs. HDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WDIV Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the HDEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WDIV and HDEF, 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

	WDIV	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	1.37	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.70	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.53	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.45	+0.02

Drawdowns

WDIV vs. HDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WDIV drawdown since its inception was -42.34%, which is greater than HDEF's maximum drawdown of -36.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WDIV and HDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WDIV	HDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.34%	-36.43%	-5.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-8.03%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.26%	-11.15%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.12%	-23.63%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.34%	-36.43%	-5.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-5.69%	+4.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.85%	-5.04%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	2.59%	-0.26%

Volatility

WDIV vs. HDEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (WDIV) is 2.95%, while Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) has a volatility of 3.75%. This indicates that WDIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WDIV	HDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	3.75%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.01%	9.20%	-1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.18%	11.67%	-1.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.77%	14.14%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.40%	16.24%	-0.84%

WDIV vs. HDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

WDIV has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than HDEF's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

WDIV vs. HDEF - Dividend Comparison

WDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, more than HDEF's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
WDIV SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF	4.04%	4.27%	4.63%	4.73%	5.12%	4.15%	5.55%	3.99%	4.42%	3.62%	4.32%	5.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WDIV and HDEF in my portfolio?

WDIV and HDEF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WDIV or HDEF?

HDEF has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to WDIV (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WDIV dropped -42.34% vs HDEF's -36.43%.

Which ETF is better, WDIV or HDEF?

On 10-year performance, HDEF leads with 8.59% vs 7.48% for WDIV. On fees, HDEF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, WDIV has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WDIV or HDEF?

Over the 10-year period, HDEF has performed better with a 8.59% return vs 7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WDIV or HDEF?

HDEF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for WDIV.

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

WDIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.04%, compared with 3.65% for HDEF.

What is the main difference between WDIV and HDEF?

WDIV is categorized as Global Equities, while HDEF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. WDIV tracks S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats Index sp_43, while HDEF tracks MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for WDIV and 0.20% for HDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WDIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.