XAID.L vs. HSTE.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XAID.L (Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data UCITS ETF 1C) and HSTE.L (HSBC Hang Seng Tech UCITS ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - XAID.L tracks the Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index while HSTE.L tracks the MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XAID.L returned 21.13%/yr vs -9.33%/yr for HSTE.L. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XAID.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for HSTE.L.

Performance

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data UCITS ETF 1C (XAID.L) and HSBC Hang Seng Tech UCITS ETF (HSTE.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAID.L achieves a 36.37% return, which is significantly higher than HSTE.L's -10.40% return.

XAID.L

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: 17.51%
• YTD: 36.37%
• 6M: 38.79%
• 1Y: 65.34%
• 3Y*: 39.93%
• 5Y*: 21.13%
• 10Y*: —

HSTE.L

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: -10.40%
• 6M: -11.48%
• 1Y: -4.91%
• 3Y*: 9.68%
• 5Y*: -9.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
XAID.L Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data UCITS ETF 1C	36.37%	29.99%	27.58%	67.18%	-35.60%	25.35%	6.04%
HSTE.L HSBC Hang Seng Tech UCITS ETF	-10.40%	24.57%	19.70%	-8.44%	-27.99%	-32.88%	4.51%

Correlation

The correlation between XAID.L and HSTE.L is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2020	0.43

The correlation between XAID.L and HSTE.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (3 years) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAID.L

XAID.L Risk / Return Rank: 88
XAID.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XAID.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
XAID.L Omega Ratio Rank: 87
XAID.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
XAID.L Martin Ratio Rank: 86

HSTE.L

HSTE.L Risk / Return Rank: 8
HSTE.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
HSTE.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
HSTE.L Omega Ratio Rank: 8
HSTE.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
HSTE.L Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data UCITS ETF 1C (XAID.L) and HSBC Hang Seng Tech UCITS ETF (HSTE.L). 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.

	XAID.L	HSTE.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.12	-0.18	+3.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.18	-0.07	+4.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	0.99	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.05	-0.16	+5.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.77	-0.30	+18.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAID.L Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is higher than the HSTE.L Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAID.L and HSTE.L, 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

	XAID.L	HSTE.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.12	-0.18	+3.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	-0.24	+1.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	-0.22	+1.22

Drawdowns

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAID.L drawdown since its inception was -41.08%, smaller than the maximum HSTE.L drawdown of -74.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAID.L and HSTE.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAID.L	HSTE.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.08%	-74.82%	+33.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-30.70%	+17.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.00%	-34.92%	+10.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.08%	-67.13%	+26.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.02%	-53.93%	+50.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-52.77%	+44.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	16.59%	-12.94%

Volatility

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data UCITS ETF 1C (XAID.L) is 8.93%, while HSBC Hang Seng Tech UCITS ETF (HSTE.L) has a volatility of 10.94%. This indicates that XAID.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HSTE.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAID.L	HSTE.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	10.94%	-2.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.13%	20.11%	-2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.76%	27.47%	-6.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.98%	39.38%	-14.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.19%	39.03%	-14.84%

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAID.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HSTE.L's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAID.L vs. HSTE.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither XAID.L nor HSTE.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAID.L and HSTE.L in my portfolio?

XAID.L and HSTE.L have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XAID.L or HSTE.L?

On fees, XAID.L is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAID.L or HSTE.L?

XAID.L is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HSTE.L.

What is the main difference between XAID.L and HSTE.L?

XAID.L tracks Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index, while HSTE.L tracks MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and HSBC. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAID.L and 0.50% for HSTE.L.