HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

HUKX.L (HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP) and DFNS.L (VanEck Defense UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HUKX.L is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE AllSh TR GBP, while DFNS.L is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HUKX.L returned 15.17%/yr vs 37.58%/yr for DFNS.L. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HUKX.L charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for DFNS.L.

Performance

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (HUKX.L) and VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HUKX.L achieves a 6.75% return, which is significantly higher than DFNS.L's 1.33% return.

HUKX.L

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 6.75%
• 6M: 9.96%
• 1Y: 21.59%
• 3Y*: 15.17%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

DFNS.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.20%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 2.20%
• 1Y: 12.10%
• 3Y*: 37.58%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HUKX.L HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP	6.75%	26.20%	9.58%	3.77%
DFNS.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	1.33%	56.23%	46.26%	22.03%

Correlation

The correlation between HUKX.L and DFNS.L is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2023	0.39

Return for Risk

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

HUKX.L

HUKX.L Risk / Return Rank: 62
HUKX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
HUKX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
HUKX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 68
HUKX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HUKX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 52

DFNS.L

DFNS.L Risk / Return Rank: 18
DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
DFNS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
DFNS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 18
DFNS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
DFNS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (HUKX.L) and VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.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.

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.

	HUKX.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	0.59	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	1.00	+1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.12	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	0.76	+1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.97	1.84	+6.14

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HUKX.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HUKX.L and DFNS.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.

Drawdowns

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HUKX.L drawdown since its inception was -34.22%, which is greater than DFNS.L's maximum drawdown of -19.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HUKX.L and DFNS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	HUKX.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.22%	-19.32%	-14.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-19.32%	+10.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.95%	-19.32%	+6.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.95%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.93%	-17.42%	+14.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-3.29%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.63%	7.95%	-5.32%

Volatility

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (HUKX.L) is 3.60%, while VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L) has a volatility of 7.93%. This indicates that HUKX.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFNS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HUKX.L	DFNS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	7.93%	-4.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.63%	18.84%	-9.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.01%	24.62%	-13.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.67%	20.96%	-8.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.95%	20.96%	-6.01%

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

HUKX.L has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than DFNS.L's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

HUKX.L vs. DFNS.L - Dividend Comparison

HUKX.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, while DFNS.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFNS.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HUKX.L HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP	2.83%	2.95%	3.74%	3.50%	3.63%	3.19%	4.04%	4.31%	4.35%	3.79%	3.49%	3.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HUKX.L and DFNS.L in my portfolio?

HUKX.L and DFNS.L have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HUKX.L or DFNS.L?

On fees, HUKX.L is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HUKX.L or DFNS.L?

HUKX.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for DFNS.L.

What is the main difference between HUKX.L and DFNS.L?

HUKX.L is categorized as Europe Equities, while DFNS.L is Aerospace & Defense. HUKX.L tracks FTSE AllSh TR GBP, while DFNS.L tracks MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: HSBC and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for HUKX.L and 0.55% for DFNS.L.