GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GFGB.L (VanEck Global Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF) and DFNG.L (VanEck Defense ETF A USD Acc GBP) are both exchange-traded funds - GFGB.L is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA Gbl HY Constnd TR USD, while DFNG.L is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the MarketVector Global Defense Industry index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GFGB.L returned 6.58%/yr vs 39.23%/yr for DFNG.L. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GFGB.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for DFNG.L.

Performance

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in VanEck Global Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF (GFGB.L) and VanEck Defense ETF A USD Acc GBP (DFNG.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFGB.L achieves a 3.80% return, which is significantly higher than DFNG.L's 3.59% return.

GFGB.L

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 3.80%
• 6M: 3.42%
• 1Y: 10.34%
• 3Y*: 6.58%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: —

DFNG.L

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -2.66%
• YTD: 3.59%
• 6M: 7.13%
• 1Y: 15.22%
• 3Y*: 39.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GFGB.L VanEck Global Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF	3.80%	2.41%	7.87%	4.60%
DFNG.L VanEck Defense ETF A USD Acc GBP	3.59%	56.54%	46.20%	22.89%

Correlation

The correlation between GFGB.L and DFNG.L is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.17

Return for Risk

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFGB.L

GFGB.L Risk / Return Rank: 49
GFGB.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
GFGB.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GFGB.L Omega Ratio Rank: 45
GFGB.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
GFGB.L Martin Ratio Rank: 51

DFNG.L

DFNG.L Risk / Return Rank: 21
DFNG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
DFNG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFNG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 21
DFNG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DFNG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Global Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF (GFGB.L) and VanEck Defense ETF A USD Acc GBP (DFNG.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.

	GFGB.L	DFNG.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.70	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	1.15	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.14	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	0.92	+2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	2.28	+6.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFGB.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the DFNG.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFGB.L and DFNG.L, 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

	GFGB.L	DFNG.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	0.70	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	1.97	-1.31

Drawdowns

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFGB.L drawdown since its inception was -15.95%, smaller than the maximum DFNG.L drawdown of -18.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFGB.L and DFNG.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFGB.L	DFNG.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.95%	-18.38%	+2.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-18.38%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.54%	-18.38%	+10.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-15.37%	+14.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-3.13%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	7.46%	-6.30%

Volatility

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Global Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF (GFGB.L) is 3.51%, while VanEck Defense ETF A USD Acc GBP (DFNG.L) has a volatility of 7.88%. This indicates that GFGB.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFNG.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFGB.L	DFNG.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	7.88%	-4.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.86%	18.71%	-12.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.89%	24.17%	-17.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.81%	20.38%	-12.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.80%	20.38%	-11.58%

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFGB.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than DFNG.L's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFGB.L vs. DFNG.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither GFGB.L nor DFNG.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFGB.L and DFNG.L in my portfolio?

GFGB.L and DFNG.L have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GFGB.L or DFNG.L?

On fees, GFGB.L is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GFGB.L or DFNG.L?

GFGB.L is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for DFNG.L.

What is the main difference between GFGB.L and DFNG.L?

GFGB.L is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while DFNG.L is Aerospace & Defense. GFGB.L tracks ICE BofA Gbl HY Constnd TR USD, while DFNG.L tracks MarketVector Global Defense Industry index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GFGB.L and 0.55% for DFNG.L.