STXD vs. DFND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STXD (Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF) and DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - STXD tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index while DFND tracks the Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, STXD returned 15.12%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for DFND. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. STXD charges 0.35%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for DFND.

Performance

STXD vs. DFND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF (STXD) and Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

STXD

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 16.82%
• 3Y*: 15.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

STXD vs. DFND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
STXD Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF	5.63%	14.79%	14.51%	13.94%	-0.18%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between STXD and DFND is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2022	0.31

The correlation between STXD and DFND shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

STXD vs. DFND - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	STXD	DFND
Technology	28.4%	24.8%
Financial Services	23.6%	18.2%
Industrials	15.1%	17.1%
Healthcare	12.0%	10.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.2%
Real Estate	3.2%	2.0%
Basic Materials	2.9%	4.3%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Energy	0.2%	1.7%
Communication Services	0.1%	0.8%

Return for Risk

STXD vs. DFND — Risk / Return Rank

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

STXD

STXD Risk / Return Rank: 41
STXD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
STXD Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
STXD Omega Ratio Rank: 39
STXD Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
STXD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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

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.

STXD vs. DFND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF (STXD) and Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND). 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.

	STXD	DFND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	0.02	+1.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	0.11	+2.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.02	+0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	0.07	+1.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.57	0.13	+7.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STXD vs. DFND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STXD Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is higher than the DFND Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STXD and DFND, 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

	STXD	DFND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	0.02	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.36	+0.70

Drawdowns

STXD vs. DFND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STXD drawdown since its inception was -14.87%, smaller than the maximum DFND drawdown of -22.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXD and DFND.

Drawdown Indicators

	STXD	DFND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.87%	-22.65%	+7.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-3.44%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.87%	-12.56%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.65%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-3.69%	+3.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-5.70%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	3.70%	-1.47%

Volatility

STXD vs. DFND - Volatility Comparison

Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF (STXD) has a higher volatility of 2.86% compared to Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) at 0.00%. This indicates that STXD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STXD	DFND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	0.00%	+2.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.86%	6.16%	+2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.49%	10.92%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.11%	22.46%	-9.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.11%	19.09%	-5.98%

STXD vs. DFND - Expense Ratio Comparison

STXD has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than DFND's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

STXD vs. DFND - Dividend Comparison

STXD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than DFND's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
STXD Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF	1.20%	1.15%	1.23%	1.27%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STXD and DFND in my portfolio?

STXD and DFND have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STXD or DFND?

STXD has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXD dropped -14.87% vs DFND's -22.65%.

Which ETF is better, STXD or DFND?

On 3-year performance, STXD leads with 15.12% vs 7.91% for DFND. On fees, STXD is cheaper at 0.35% 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, STXD or DFND?

Over the 3-year period, STXD has performed better with a 15.12% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STXD or DFND?

STXD is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

STXD has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.62% for DFND.

What is the main difference between STXD and DFND?

STXD tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index, while DFND tracks Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index. They also come from different issuers: Strive and SRN Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for STXD and 1.50% for DFND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STXD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 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.