DFAU vs. DFND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFAU is actively managed, while DFND is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFAU returned 13.05%/yr vs 4.54%/yr for DFND. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for DFND.

Performance

DFAU vs. DFND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

DFAU

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.49%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 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)

DFAU vs. DFND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.32%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	26.89%	6.48%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-19.59%	14.80%	-0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU 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	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between DFAU and DFND has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DFAU vs. DFND - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	DFND
Technology	32.7%	24.8%
Financial Services	12.8%	18.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	3.5%
Industrials	10.4%	17.1%
Communication Services	10.4%	0.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.2%
Energy	4.6%	1.7%
Utilities	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.4%	4.3%
Real Estate	0.2%	2.0%

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. DFND — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DFAU vs. DFND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) 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.

	DFAU	DFND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	0.02	+2.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	0.11	+3.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.02	+0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	0.07	+3.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.10	0.13	+14.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAU vs. DFND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is higher than the DFND Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU 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

	DFAU	DFND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	0.02	+2.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.21	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.36	+0.59

Drawdowns

DFAU vs. DFND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, roughly equal to the maximum DFND drawdown of -22.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and DFND.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	DFND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-22.65%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-3.44%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-12.56%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	-22.65%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-3.69%	+3.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-5.70%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	3.70%	-1.81%

Volatility

DFAU vs. DFND - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) has a higher volatility of 2.95% compared to Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) at 0.00%. This indicates that DFAU'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

	DFAU	DFND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	0.00%	+2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.04%	6.16%	+2.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.06%	10.92%	+1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	22.46%	-5.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.73%	19.09%	-2.36%

DFAU vs. DFND - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than DFND's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAU vs. DFND - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than DFND's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.90%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%	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 DFAU and DFND in my portfolio?

DFAU 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, DFAU or DFND?

DFAU has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs DFND's -22.65%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or DFND?

On 5-year performance, DFAU leads with 13.05% vs 4.54% for DFND. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% 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, DFAU or DFND?

Over the 5-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or DFND?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.62% for DFND.

What is the main difference between DFAU and DFND?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and SRN Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 1.50% for DFND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.