DFND vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DFND returned 7.15%/yr vs 15.64%/yr for ITA. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFND charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

DFND vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, DFND has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 7.15%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.64% annualized return.

DFND

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 2.16%
• 3Y*: 8.10%
• 5Y*: 4.54%
• 10Y*: 7.15%

ITA

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: 4.57%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 7.51%
• 1Y: 31.18%
• 3Y*: 28.43%
• 5Y*: 17.33%
• 10Y*: 15.64%

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

DFND vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-19.59%	14.80%	16.12%	19.53%	-1.83%	16.33%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	9.85%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between DFND and ITA is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2016	0.32

Over the past year, the correlation between DFND and ITA has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.32, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DFND vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFND	ITA
Technology	24.8%	0.1%
Financial Services	18.2%	-
Industrials	17.1%	99.6%
Healthcare	10.7%	-
Basic Materials	4.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Energy	1.7%	-
Communication Services	0.8%	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DFND vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFND

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 39
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

DFND vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DFND	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.19	1.43	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.35	2.10	-1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.25	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.60	1.98	-1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.08	5.21	-4.13

DFND vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFND Sharpe Ratio is 0.19, which is lower than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFND and ITA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DFND vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFND drawdown since its inception was -22.65%, smaller than the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFND and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFND	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.65%	-59.72%	+37.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.44%	-15.82%	+12.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.56%	-15.82%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.65%	-18.72%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.65%	-51.00%	+28.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-5.89%	+2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-9.45%	+3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	6.00%	-2.28%

Volatility

DFND vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) is 0.00%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 8.50%. This indicates that DFND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFND	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	8.50%	-8.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.10%	18.55%	-12.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.88%	21.95%	-11.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.44%	20.23%	+2.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.08%	23.26%	-4.18%

DFND vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFND has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFND vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

DFND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.45%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFND and ITA in my portfolio?

DFND and ITA have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFND or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFND dropped -22.65% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, DFND or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 15.64% vs 7.15% for DFND. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% 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, DFND or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 15.64% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFND or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

DFND has the higher dividend yield at 0.62%, compared with 0.45% for ITA.

What is the main difference between DFND and ITA?

DFND is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. DFND tracks Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: SRN Advisors and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for DFND and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.19), 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.