HDEF vs VTI
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HDEF or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HDEF led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | HDEF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.69% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 123 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.29% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.88% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.22% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.02%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,639Best | $17,404 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 12, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 18, 2015 to Sep 10, 2026 (11.1 years).
HDEF vs VTI 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
HDEF vs VTI Performance
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDEF returned +16.88% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, HDEF is up 10.29% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, HDEF compounded at +18.22% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.02% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.58% annualized vs +5.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 14.7% for HDEF. 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 -38.2% for HDEF and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDEF charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDEF currently yields 3.69% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of HDEF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, HDEF as of Sep 2, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in HDEF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 123 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HDEF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBK:MIFinecobank S.P.A. | 0.38% | 0.00% | 0.38% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HDEF and VTI 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, HDEF or VTI?
HDEF has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDEF or VTI?
Over the past year HDEF returned +16.88% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HDEF annualized +5.30% vs +12.58% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDEF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 14.7% for HDEF. Worst drawdown: HDEF -38.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HDEF and VTI?
HDEF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, HDEF or VTI?
HDEF yields 3.69% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HDEF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HDEF led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.