HDEF vs VXUS
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HDEF or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HDEF led over 5Y, VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.68% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 123 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.03% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.14% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.54% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.17%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.2%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,758Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 12, 2015 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 4, 2026 (11 years).
HDEF vs VXUS 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 years both funds cover.
HDEF vs VXUS Performance
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDEF returned +20.14% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, HDEF is up 13.03% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, HDEF compounded at +19.54% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.17% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +7.15% annualized vs +5.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% 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 -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDEF charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDEF currently yields 3.68% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 47.0% of HDEF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
63 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in HDEF and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 123 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HDEF | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 4.76% | 0.65% | 4.11% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 4.69% | 0.59% | 4.10% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 3.39% | 0.37% | 3.02% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 3.17% | 0.28% | 2.89% |
| BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco Plc Common Stock GBP 25 | 2.67% | 0.28% | 2.39% |
| ZURN:SMZurich Insurance Group. Namen Akt | 2.55% | 0.25% | 2.30% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 1.88% | 0.18% | 1.70% |
| DGE:LNDiageo Gbp28.93518 | 1.24% | 0.10% | 1.14% |
| 2914:JPJapan Tobacco Inc | 1.14% | 0.09% | 1.05% |
| RKT:LNReckitt Benckiser Group | 1.04% | 0.09% | 0.95% |
47.0% of HDEF is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HDEF or VXUS?
HDEF has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDEF or VXUS?
Over the past year HDEF returned +20.14% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HDEF annualized +5.54% vs +7.15% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDEF or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.7% for HDEF. Worst drawdown: HDEF -38.2% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both HDEF and VXUS?
HDEF and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between HDEF and VXUS?
At least 47.0% of HDEF's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 63 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in HDEF and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, HDEF or VXUS?
HDEF yields 3.68% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so HDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HDEF?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. HDEF led over 5Y, VXUS 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.