DFNV vs. VOX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFNV (TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF) and VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - DFNV tracks the TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Free Cash Flow Innovation Index while VOX tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Telecommunication Services 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFNV returned 9.69%/yr vs 7.58%/yr for VOX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFNV charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VOX.

Performance

DFNV vs. VOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF (DFNV) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFNV achieves a 2.99% return, which is significantly higher than VOX's -1.38% return.

DFNV

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: 11.80%
• YTD: 2.99%
• 6M: 1.14%
• 1Y: 7.73%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: —

VOX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: -2.77%
• YTD: -1.38%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 20.55%
• 3Y*: 24.02%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

DFNV vs. VOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFNV TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF	2.99%	8.42%	31.93%	26.92%	-24.05%	18.51%	2.92%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	-1.38%	26.27%	33.12%	44.81%	-38.85%	13.83%	1.08%

Correlation

The correlation between DFNV and VOX is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2020	0.75

The correlation between DFNV and VOX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFNV vs. VOX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFNV	VOX
Technology	60.9%	1.2%
Healthcare	16.2%	0.0%
Communication Services	12.0%	98.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	0.2%
Industrials	1.9%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DFNV vs. VOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFNV

DFNV Risk / Return Rank: 14
DFNV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
DFNV Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
DFNV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
DFNV Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
DFNV Martin Ratio Rank: 13

VOX

VOX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VOX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VOX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

DFNV vs. VOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF (DFNV) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). 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.

	DFNV	VOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.44	1.34	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	2.00	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.24	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.36	1.52	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.87	5.83	-4.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFNV vs. VOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFNV Sharpe Ratio is 0.44, which is lower than the VOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFNV and VOX, 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

	DFNV	VOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44	1.34	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.36	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.43	+0.10

Drawdowns

DFNV vs. VOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFNV drawdown since its inception was -29.71%, smaller than the maximum VOX drawdown of -57.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFNV and VOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFNV	VOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.71%	-57.18%	+27.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.54%	-13.56%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.72%	-21.15%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-46.76%	+17.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.91%	-4.70%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-11.91%	+2.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.90%	3.54%	+5.36%

Volatility

DFNV vs. VOX - Volatility Comparison

TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF (DFNV) has a higher volatility of 6.59% compared to Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) at 4.24%. This indicates that DFNV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFNV	VOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	4.24%	+2.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.86%	11.16%	+3.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.69%	15.45%	+2.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.66%	21.15%	-1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.73%	20.89%	-1.16%

DFNV vs. VOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFNV has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VOX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFNV vs. VOX - Dividend Comparison

DFNV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than VOX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFNV TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Innovation ETF	0.37%	0.38%	1.28%	0.77%	1.20%	4.77%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	1.00%	0.95%	1.05%	1.03%	0.88%	0.93%	0.73%	0.90%	2.77%	3.83%	2.67%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFNV and VOX in my portfolio?

DFNV and VOX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFNV or VOX?

DFNV has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to VOX (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFNV dropped -29.71% vs VOX's -57.18%.

Which ETF is better, DFNV or VOX?

On 5-year performance, DFNV leads with 9.69% vs 7.58% for VOX. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 4.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFNV or VOX?

Over the 5-year period, DFNV has performed better with a 9.69% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFNV or VOX?

VOX is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for DFNV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFNV or VOX?

VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.37% for DFNV.

What is the main difference between DFNV and VOX?

DFNV tracks TrimTabs Donoghue Forlines Risk Managed Free Cash Flow Innovation Index, while VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Telecommunication Services 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: TrimTabs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for DFNV and 0.10% for VOX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 0.44), 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.