DFNX.L vs. DRON.L

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFNX.L (VanEck Defense UCITS ETF) and DRON.L (Drone UCITS ETF Acc) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - DFNX.L tracks the MarketVector Global Defense Industry Index while DRON.L tracks the VettaFi Drones UCITS Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFNX.L charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for DRON.L.

Performance

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNX.L) and Drone UCITS ETF Acc (DRON.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

DFNX.L is traded in GBp, while DRON.L is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the DRON.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

DFNX.L

• 1D: -1.79%
• 1M: 13.81%
• YTD: 34.91%
• 6M: 42.66%
• 1Y: 76.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DRON.L

• 1D: -6.88%
• 1M: 17.72%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DFNX.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	14.82%
DRON.L Drone UCITS ETF Acc	-1.08%

Correlation

The correlation between DFNX.L and DRON.L is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2026	0.70

Return for Risk

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFNX.L

DFNX.L Risk / Return Rank: 87
DFNX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DFNX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DFNX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 81
DFNX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DFNX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNX.L) and Drone UCITS ETF Acc (DRON.L). 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.

	DFNX.L	DRON.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.14	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.02	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.33	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.40	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFNX.L	DRON.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.53	-0.07	+2.60

Drawdowns

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFNX.L drawdown since its inception was -15.39%, smaller than the maximum DRON.L drawdown of -31.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFNX.L and DRON.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFNX.L	DRON.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.39%	-31.69%	+16.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.07%	-10.24%	+5.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.51%	-17.34%	+13.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.68%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DFNX.L	DRON.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.16%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.61%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.44%	68.73%	-44.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.72%	68.73%	-44.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.72%	68.73%	-44.01%

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFNX.L has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than DRON.L's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFNX.L vs. DRON.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither DFNX.L nor DRON.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFNX.L and DRON.L in my portfolio?

DFNX.L and DRON.L have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DFNX.L or DRON.L?

On fees, DFNX.L is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFNX.L or DRON.L?

DFNX.L is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for DRON.L.

What is the main difference between DFNX.L and DRON.L?

DFNX.L tracks MarketVector Global Defense Industry Index, while DRON.L tracks VettaFi Drones UCITS Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and HANetf. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for DFNX.L and 0.69% for DRON.L.