DMXU vs ILOW
Xtrackers Bloomberg Developed Markets ex US Equity ETF vs AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF
Which is better, DMXU or ILOW?
ILOW has been ahead.
DMXU has a lower expense ratio. ILOW led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. DMXU is less concentrated, with 15.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.3%.
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 | DMXU | ILOW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $60M | $1.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.91% | 1.47% |
| Holdings | 1,292 | 202 |
| YTD Return | +6.65% | +9.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.08% | +11.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.84% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.15% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.8% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1% | -10.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $12,430 | $13,722Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.0%Best | 21.3% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | AllianceBernstein L.P. |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 5, 2018 | Jul 15, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2024 to Nov 11, 2026 (2.3 years).
DMXU vs ILOW 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
DMXU vs ILOW Performance
Xtrackers Bloomberg Developed Markets ex US Equity ETF (DMXU) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P.. Over the past year DMXU returned +9.08% while ILOW returned +11.92%. Year to date, DMXU is up 6.65% versus a gain of 9.24% for ILOW.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DMXU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 9.9% for ILOW. 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 -16.1% for DMXU and -10.4% for ILOW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMXU charges 0.03% per year while ILOW charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $50 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMXU currently yields 3.91% against 1.47% for ILOW.
Holdings Overlap
15.7% of DMXU's money is in holdings ILOW also owns. 54.6% of ILOW's money is in holdings DMXU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
44 positions in common, counted across the 627 positions we hold weights for in DMXU and 87 in ILOW, against full books of 1,292 and 202.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for ILOW that do not appear in our book for DMXU (5.7% of the fund), and 5 for DMXU that do not appear in ILOW (1.3%).
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 DMXU | Weight in ILOW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 2.45% | 3.05% | 0.60% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.11% | 1.94% | 0.83% |
| SCHN:PASchneider Electric Se | 0.61% | 2.10% | 1.49% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.97% | 1.49% | 0.52% |
| O39:SIOversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. Shs | 0.34% | 1.92% | 1.58% |
| BAES:LNBae Systems Plc | 0.31% | 1.84% | 1.53% |
| TSCO:LNTesco Plc | 0.17% | 1.96% | 1.79% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 0.73% | 1.33% | 0.60% |
| 6758:JPSony Group Corp. | 0.57% | 1.49% | 0.92% |
| SAP:SGSap Se | 0.85% | 1.16% | 0.31% |
54.6% of ILOW is already inside DMXU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DMXU or ILOW?
DMXU has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ILOW charges 0.50%. DMXU is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DMXU or ILOW?
Over the past year DMXU returned +9.08% vs +11.92% for ILOW, so ILOW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DMXU annualized +9.92% vs +14.75% for ILOW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DMXU or ILOW?
DMXU has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 9.9% for ILOW. Worst drawdown: DMXU -16.1% vs ILOW -10.4%.
Should I hold both DMXU and ILOW?
DMXU and ILOW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DMXU and ILOW?
54.6% of ILOW's money is in holdings DMXU also owns. 54.6% of ILOW's is in holdings DMXU also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 627 positions we hold weights for in DMXU and 87 in ILOW.
Which pays a higher dividend, DMXU or ILOW?
DMXU yields 3.91% while ILOW yields 1.47%, so DMXU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ILOW better than DMXU?
DMXU has a lower expense ratio. ILOW led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. DMXU is less concentrated, with 15.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 21.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.