DFND vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DFND tracks the Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index while VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DFND returned 7.16%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFND charges 1.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

DFND vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, DFND has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 7.16%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.

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%

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

DFND vs. VTI - 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between DFND and VTI 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 (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2016	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between DFND and VTI has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DFND vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFND	VTI
Technology	24.8%	33.5%
Financial Services	18.2%	12.0%
Industrials	17.1%	9.8%
Healthcare	10.7%	9.2%
Basic Materials	4.3%	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	10.0%
Real Estate	2.0%	2.4%
Energy	1.7%	3.7%
Communication Services	0.8%	10.3%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

DFND vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	DFND	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.02	2.33	-2.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.11	3.18	-3.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.42	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.07	3.17	-3.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.13	14.62	-14.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFND vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFND Sharpe Ratio is 0.02, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFND and VTI, 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

	DFND	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02	2.33	-2.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.73	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.82	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.51	-0.15

Drawdowns

DFND vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFND drawdown since its inception was -22.65%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFND and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFND	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.65%	-55.45%	+32.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.44%	-8.92%	+5.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.56%	-19.30%	+6.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.65%	-25.36%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.65%	-35.00%	+12.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-0.72%	-2.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-8.03%	+2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	1.93%	+1.77%

Volatility

DFND vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) is 0.00%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that DFND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFND	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	2.96%	-2.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.16%	9.13%	-2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.92%	12.17%	-1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	17.40%	+5.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	18.30%	+0.79%

DFND vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFND has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFND vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

DFND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFND and VTI in my portfolio?

DFND and VTI 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, DFND or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFND dropped -22.65% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, DFND or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs 7.16% for DFND. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% 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 VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFND or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.62% for DFND.

What is the main difference between DFND and VTI?

DFND tracks Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: SRN Advisors and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.50% for DFND and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 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.