Performance check: The best TecDAX ETFs in the test
On the TecDAX there is currently, as you can see in our table already recognized at the beginning of this guide, only two ETFs: Den iShares TecDAX (R) UCITS ETF (DE) (ISIN DE0005933972/WKN 593397) and the ComStage 1 TecDAX UCITS ETF (ISIN DE000ETF9082/WKN ETF908). Although we consider both ETFs to be recommended in principle, they are very different in terms of their orientation, fund size and cost structure.
As far as the launch date is concerned, the iShares ETF is a lot ahead of the ComStage ETF: the TecDAX ETF of the BlackRock subsidiary was launched back in 2001, while the ComStage ETF only saw the light of day in the fund world in 2016. The race is also decided in terms of fund size: With total assets under management of EUR 940 million, the iShares TecDAX ETF is ahead of the ComStage index fund. This only brings it to 91 million euros.
The two ETF providers also take different approaches when it comes to using the income: while the TecDAX ETF from iShares accumulates dividend payments and other income in the fund volume, the ComStage ETF distributes this annually.
As far as the ongoing costs of owning the ETFs are concerned (total expense ratio, TER), iShares and ComStage are relatively close together: Investors have to iShares TecDAX (R) UCITS ETF (DE) Pay 0.51 percent per year, that ComStage 1 TecDAX UCITS ETF comes with 0.40 percent annual fees cheaper. Compared to many other exchange-traded funds on German indices, for example a DAX ETF or an MDAX ETF, investors for these two TecDAX index funds have to dig a little deeper into their wallets.
However, there is one thing in common: Both index funds physically replicate the German technology index, so both TecDAX ETFs buy all shares that are listed in the underlying index.
The performance of both ETFs is difficult to compare, as the BlackRock subsidiary’s index fund has been on the market for much longer. It can be said that both products perform well overall. The iShares index fund has already proven that it survives financial crises well.
Our recommendation: Investors who want to have the income distributed regularly have to resort to the ComStage ETF – and get a good product. The running costs of the ComStage TecDAX ETF are relatively low and the underlying index is very well represented. Overall, however, the iShares ETF is a step ahead; it scores in almost all categories iShares TecDAX (R) UCITS ETF (DE) better off. The analysis company Morningstar gives the TecDAX ETF from iShares a rating of 2 stars.