EASG vs RFDI
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Selection Equity ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, EASG or RFDI?
Nearly the same fund. EASG costs less.
EASG has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. EASG is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%.
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 | EASG | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $68M | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.75% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 361 | 157 |
| YTD Return | +10.72% | +14.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.23% | +22.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.52% | +21.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.83% | +8.40%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -35.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,914 | $14,967Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 22.7% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 5, 2018 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (7.9 years).
EASG vs RFDI 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
EASG vs RFDI Performance
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Selection Equity ETF (EASG) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year EASG returned +16.23% while RFDI returned +22.37%. Year to date, EASG is up 10.72% versus a gain of 14.53% for RFDI.
Over three years, EASG compounded at +15.52% per year against +21.56% for RFDI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.83% and +8.40% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, RFDI has the edge at +9.27% annualized vs +8.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 16.2% for EASG. 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 -32.3% for EASG and -35.9% for RFDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EASG charges 0.14% per year while RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $83 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EASG currently yields 3.75% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
19.6% of EASG's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 20.9% of RFDI's money is in holdings EASG also owns.
RFDI and EASG share little of their money.
26 positions in common, counted across the 356 positions we hold weights for in EASG and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 361 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for EASG (4.7% of the fund), and 2 for EASG that do not appear in RFDI (1.1%).
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 EASG | Weight in RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 5.68% | 2.23% | 3.45% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 3.05% | 3.27% | 0.22% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 2.43% | 2.02% | 0.41% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 2.10% | 0.50% | 1.60% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.21% | 0.96% | 0.25% |
| 9983:JPFast Retailing Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 0.71% | 1.06% | 0.35% |
| RKT:LNReckitt Benckiser Group | 0.38% | 1.12% | 0.74% |
| NG:LNNational Grid Plc | 0.68% | 0.64% | 0.04% |
| 6146:JPDisco Corp | 0.28% | 0.90% | 0.62% |
| 7741:JPHoya Corporation | 0.44% | 0.72% | 0.28% |
20.9% of RFDI is already inside EASG.
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, EASG or RFDI?
EASG has an expense ratio of 0.14% while RFDI charges 0.83%. EASG is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EASG or RFDI?
Over the past year EASG returned +16.23% vs +22.37% for RFDI, so RFDI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), EASG annualized +8.81% vs +9.27% for RFDI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EASG or RFDI?
RFDI has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 16.2% for EASG. Worst drawdown: EASG -32.3% vs RFDI -35.9%.
Should I hold both EASG and RFDI?
EASG and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 EASG and RFDI?
20.9% of RFDI's money is in holdings EASG also owns. 20.9% of RFDI's is in holdings EASG also owns. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 356 positions we hold weights for in EASG and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EASG or RFDI?
EASG yields 3.75% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so EASG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than EASG?
EASG has a lower expense ratio. RFDI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. EASG is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.