AVSU vs. DFND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSU (Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF) and DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - AVSU tracks the Russell 3000 Index while DFND tracks the Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSU returned 22.19%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for DFND. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AVSU charges 0.15%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for DFND.

Performance

AVSU vs. DFND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

AVSU

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 6.75%
• YTD: 14.85%
• 6M: 15.47%
• 1Y: 33.58%
• 3Y*: 22.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFND

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: -1.09%
• 1Y: 0.20%
• 3Y*: 7.91%
• 5Y*: 4.54%
• 10Y*: 7.16%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVSU vs. DFND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	14.85%	16.69%	19.16%	24.50%	-11.70%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-8.56%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSU and DFND is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between AVSU and DFND has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

AVSU vs. DFND - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSU	DFND
Technology	33.2%	24.8%
Financial Services	18.6%	18.2%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	3.5%
Communication Services	11.0%	0.8%
Healthcare	8.9%	10.7%
Industrials	8.6%	17.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.2%
Basic Materials	1.1%	4.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	2.0%
Utilities	0.3%	-
Energy	0.0%	1.7%

Return for Risk

AVSU vs. DFND — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AVSU

AVSU Risk / Return Rank: 75
AVSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
AVSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AVSU Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AVSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AVSU Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DFND

DFND Risk / Return Rank: 9
DFND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
DFND Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
DFND Omega Ratio Rank: 8
DFND Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
DFND Martin Ratio Rank: 9

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVSU vs. DFND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) and Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AVSU	DFND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	0.02	+2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	0.11	+3.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.02	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	0.07	+3.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.23	0.13	+15.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSU vs. DFND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSU Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the DFND Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSU and DFND, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVSU	DFND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	0.02	+2.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.36	+0.45

Drawdowns

AVSU vs. DFND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSU drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, roughly equal to the maximum DFND drawdown of -22.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSU and DFND.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSU	DFND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-22.65%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.06%	-3.44%	-6.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.16%	-12.56%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.65%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-3.69%	+3.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-5.70%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	3.70%	-1.49%

Volatility

AVSU vs. DFND - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF (AVSU) has a higher volatility of 3.87% compared to Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) at 0.00%. This indicates that AVSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSU	DFND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	0.00%	+3.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.32%	6.16%	+4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	10.92%	+2.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.87%	22.46%	-4.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	19.09%	-1.22%

AVSU vs. DFND - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DFND's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVSU vs. DFND - Dividend Comparison

AVSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than DFND's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVSU Avantis Responsible U.S. Equity ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.62%	1.10%	1.64%	1.84%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.77%	0.53%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSU and DFND in my portfolio?

AVSU and DFND have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSU or DFND?

AVSU has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSU dropped -21.67% vs DFND's -22.65%.

Which ETF is better, AVSU or DFND?

On 3-year performance, AVSU leads with 22.19% vs 7.91% for DFND. On fees, AVSU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, DFND has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSU or DFND?

Over the 3-year period, AVSU has performed better with a 22.19% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSU or DFND?

AVSU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSU or DFND?

AVSU has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.62% for DFND.

What is the main difference between AVSU and DFND?

AVSU tracks Russell 3000 Index, while DFND tracks Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and SRN Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVSU and 1.50% for DFND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.02), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.