HDEF ETF — Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF)

Updated October 16, 2026.

HDEF is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 2.68%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.75%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 74/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 135.1% over the past 11.2 years, 202.0 points behind SPY at 337.1%.

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF tracks an index designed to capture high-dividend-yielding stocks from developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada, emphasizing securities with sustainable and persistent dividend characteristics. The fund distributes quarterly at a modest current distribution rate, with a very low expense ratio of 0.09%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking international dividend exposure with minimal costs.

HDEF performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 135.1% over the past 11.2 years, 202.0 points behind SPY at 337.1%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 18.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.0%.

HDEF key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

74 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.98%

Issuer

DWS

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

08/12/2015

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

2.68%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.75%

Last close

$33.79 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$2,230,237,315

Average volume

130783.0

Dividend

$0.226

Ex-dividend date

09/18/2026

Payment date

09/25/2026

Beta

0.67

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.68%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (3.75%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: DWS; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

HDEF risks and drawbacks

HDEF's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 8.0%.

Who may consider HDEF — and who may not

HDEF may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (HDEF pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on HDEF

• All tickers starting with H

Tagged: Dividend, International.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from DWS.