CGUS vs. DFND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGUS (Capital Group Core Equity ETF) and DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. CGUS is actively managed, while DFND is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGUS returned 22.34%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for DFND. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CGUS charges 0.33%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for DFND.

Performance

CGUS vs. DFND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

CGUS

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 3.74%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 10.08%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 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)

CGUS vs. DFND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	9.93%	16.21%	24.89%	27.72%	-7.94%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-7.07%

Correlation

The correlation between CGUS and DFND is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2022	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between CGUS and DFND has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

CGUS vs. DFND - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CGUS	DFND
Technology	38.4%	24.8%
Financial Services	10.8%	18.2%
Communication Services	9.9%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	3.5%
Industrials	9.6%	17.1%
Healthcare	8.3%	10.7%
Energy	3.7%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	4.2%
Basic Materials	2.5%	4.3%
Real Estate	2.1%	2.0%
Utilities	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

CGUS vs. DFND — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGUS

CGUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
CGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
CGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
CGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
CGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
CGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

CGUS vs. DFND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) 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.

	CGUS	DFND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	0.02	+2.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	0.11	+2.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.02	+0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	0.07	+2.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.44	0.13	+12.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGUS vs. DFND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the DFND Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGUS 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

	CGUS	DFND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	0.02	+2.06
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	0.97	0.36	+0.62

Drawdowns

CGUS vs. DFND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGUS drawdown since its inception was -21.86%, roughly equal to the maximum DFND drawdown of -22.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGUS and DFND.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGUS	DFND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.86%	-22.65%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-3.44%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-12.56%	-5.50%
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	-0.74%	-3.69%	+2.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-5.70%	+1.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	3.70%	-1.64%

Volatility

CGUS vs. DFND - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) has a higher volatility of 2.89% compared to Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) at 0.00%. This indicates that CGUS'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

	CGUS	DFND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	0.00%	+2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	6.16%	+3.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.33%	10.92%	+1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	22.46%	-6.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.38%	19.09%	-2.71%

CGUS vs. DFND - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGUS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than DFND's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGUS vs. DFND - Dividend Comparison

CGUS'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
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.02%	1.22%	1.10%	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 CGUS and DFND in my portfolio?

CGUS and DFND have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGUS or DFND?

CGUS has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGUS dropped -21.86% vs DFND's -22.65%.

Which ETF is better, CGUS or DFND?

On 3-year performance, CGUS leads with 22.34% vs 7.91% for DFND. On fees, CGUS is cheaper at 0.33% 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, CGUS or DFND?

Over the 3-year period, CGUS has performed better with a 22.34% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGUS or DFND?

CGUS is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

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

What is the main difference between CGUS and DFND?

They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and SRN Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CGUS and 1.50% for DFND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 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.