XHYD vs. HDEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XHYD (BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF) and HDEF (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XHYD is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclical, 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 3 years, XHYD returned 7.51%/yr vs 16.39%/yr for HDEF. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XHYD charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HDEF.

Performance

XHYD vs. HDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) 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, XHYD achieves a 0.44% return, which is significantly lower than HDEF's 3.99% return.

XHYD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.54%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 5.47%
• 3Y*: 7.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

XHYD vs. HDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XHYD BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF	0.44%	8.33%	6.29%	11.75%	-5.80%
HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF	3.99%	33.01%	2.85%	18.53%	-5.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XHYD and HDEF is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between XHYD and HDEF has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XHYD vs. HDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHYD	HDEF
Consumer Defensive	29.7%	17.9%
Utilities	23.8%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	3.9%
Financial Services	2.0%	26.9%
Industrials	1.8%	8.8%
Basic Materials	1.0%	0.7%
Communication Services	-	4.0%
Energy	-	13.8%
Healthcare	-	14.0%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Technology	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

XHYD vs. HDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHYD

XHYD Risk / Return Rank: 50
XHYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
XHYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
XHYD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
XHYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XHYD Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

XHYD vs. HDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) 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.

	XHYD	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.37	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	1.94	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.25	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	1.99	+0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.53	6.16	+4.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XHYD vs. HDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHYD Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the HDEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHYD 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

	XHYD	HDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.37	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.45	+0.22

Drawdowns

XHYD vs. HDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHYD drawdown since its inception was -11.02%, smaller than the maximum HDEF drawdown of -36.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHYD and HDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHYD	HDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.02%	-36.43%	+25.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.49%	-8.03%	+5.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.70%	-11.15%	+7.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.63%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-5.69%	+4.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-5.04%	+3.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.56%	2.59%	-2.03%

Volatility

XHYD vs. HDEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF (XHYD) is 1.83%, while Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) has a volatility of 3.75%. This indicates that XHYD 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

	XHYD	HDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	3.75%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.28%	9.20%	-5.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79%	11.67%	-7.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.15%	14.14%	-6.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.15%	16.24%	-9.09%

XHYD vs. HDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHYD has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than HDEF's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHYD vs. HDEF - Dividend Comparison

XHYD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.31%, 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%
XHYD BondBloxx US High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclicals Sector ETF	5.31%	5.83%	6.32%	5.80%	5.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHYD and HDEF in my portfolio?

XHYD and HDEF have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHYD or HDEF?

HDEF has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to XHYD (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHYD dropped -11.02% vs HDEF's -36.43%.

Which ETF is better, XHYD or HDEF?

On 3-year performance, HDEF leads with 16.39% vs 7.51% for XHYD. On fees, HDEF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XHYD has been the lower-risk option at 1.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHYD or HDEF?

Over the 3-year period, HDEF has performed better with a 16.39% return vs 7.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHYD or HDEF?

HDEF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XHYD.

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

XHYD has the higher dividend yield at 5.31%, compared with 3.65% for HDEF.

What is the main difference between XHYD and HDEF?

XHYD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while HDEF is Foreign Large Cap Equities. XHYD tracks ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Consumer Non-Cyclical, while HDEF tracks MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHYD and 0.20% for HDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XHYD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.