DBEU vs RFEU
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF
Which is better, DBEU or RFEU?
Each has led over a different period.
DBEU has a lower expense ratio. DBEU led over the full window, RFEU over 1Y. DBEU is less concentrated, with 21.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.5%.
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 | RFEU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $774M | $8M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 4.64% |
| Holdings | 410 | 91 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.5%Best | -42.9% |
| $10,000 over 9.8 years | $27,345Best | $20,500 |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.5%Best | 27.5% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2013 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 264 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DBEU has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RFEU through Jan 23, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 9.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 14, 2016 to Jan 23, 2026 (9.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFEU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -42.9% for RFEU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBEU charges 0.45% per year while RFEU charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $83 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBEU currently yields 1.42% against 4.64% for RFEU.
Holdings Overlap
26.7% of DBEU's money is in holdings RFEU also owns. 50.5% of RFEU's money is in holdings DBEU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 342 days apart, DBEU as of Oct 8, 2026 and RFEU as of Oct 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
39 positions in common, counted across the 386 positions we hold weights for in DBEU and 86 in RFEU, against full books of 410 and 91.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for RFEU that do not appear in our book for DBEU (9.2% of the fund), and 2 for DBEU that do not appear in RFEU (1.2%).
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 RFEU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 5.06% | 4.75% | 0.31% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 1.91% | 3.00% | 1.09% |
| NESN:SMNestle S.A. Ordinary Shares | 1.69% | 2.87% | 1.18% |
| SHEL:LNShell Plc Ord GBP0.07 | 2.02% | 2.06% | 0.04% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 2.31% | 1.44% | 0.87% |
| ALVG:FFAllianz Se | 1.28% | 2.46% | 1.18% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 0.95% | 2.08% | 1.13% |
| MC:PALvmh-Moet Vuitton | 0.78% | 2.12% | 1.34% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 1.76% | 1.12% | 0.64% |
| BATS:LNBritish American Tobacco P.l.c | 0.78% | 1.98% | 1.20% |
50.5% of RFEU is already inside DBEU.
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, DBEU or RFEU?
DBEU has an expense ratio of 0.45% while RFEU charges 0.83%. DBEU is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DBEU or RFEU?
RFEU has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.0% for DBEU. Worst drawdown: DBEU -34.5% vs RFEU -42.9%.
Should I hold both DBEU and RFEU?
DBEU and RFEU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 DBEU and RFEU?
50.5% of RFEU's money is in holdings DBEU also owns. 50.5% of RFEU's is in holdings DBEU also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 386 positions we hold weights for in DBEU and 86 in RFEU.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBEU or RFEU?
DBEU yields 1.42% while RFEU yields 4.64%, so RFEU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFEU better than DBEU?
DBEU has a lower expense ratio. DBEU led over the full window, RFEU over 1Y. DBEU is less concentrated, with 21.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.