HDEF ETF — Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF)

HDEF is a low-cost ETF. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.73%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.71%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 72/100 (Generally safe). Fund total return is 133.6% over the past 11 years, 204.8 points behind SPY at 338.4%.

At the current 1.73% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $173 per year, or $14.42 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

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

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 133.6% over the past 11 years, 204.8 points behind SPY at 338.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.0%.

HDEF key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

72 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.25%

Issuer

DWS

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

08/12/2015

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

1.73%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.71%

Last close

$33.80

AUM

$2,344,219,053

Average volume

97100.0

Last dividend

$0.7140

Ex-dividend date

06/18/2026

Payment date

06/26/2026

Beta

0.66

P/E ratio

14.8978

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.73%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (3.71%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

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. 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.

Frequently asked questions

More funds from DWS.