DBEU vs VYM
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DBEU or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DBEU led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. DBEU is less concentrated, with 20.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DBEU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $796M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 410 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.20% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.74%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.09% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.53% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.5%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,257 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.7%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.9 years).
DBEU vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
DBEU vs VYM Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (DBEU) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DBEU returned +22.74% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, DBEU is up 12.20% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, DBEU compounded at +17.09% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.53% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, DBEU has the edge at +9.84% annualized vs +9.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 12.7% for DBEU. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.5% for DBEU and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBEU charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBEU currently yields 1.40% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of DBEU's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 398 positions we hold weights for in DBEU and 603 in VYM, against full books of 410 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DBEU (97.4% of the fund), and 5 for DBEU that do not appear in VYM (1.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DBEU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIGO:LUMillicom Intl Cellular-Sdr | 0.06% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBEU and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DBEU or VYM?
DBEU has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBEU or VYM?
Over the past year DBEU returned +22.74% vs +20.84% for VYM, so DBEU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), DBEU annualized +9.84% vs +9.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBEU or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 12.7% for DBEU. Worst drawdown: DBEU -34.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DBEU and VYM?
DBEU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBEU or VYM?
DBEU yields 1.40% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DBEU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DBEU led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. DBEU is less concentrated, with 20.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.