UFOX vs. ITB

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

UFOX (Defiance Connective Technologies ETF) and ITB (iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UFOX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while ITB is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UFOX returned 21.65%/yr vs 8.18%/yr for ITB. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UFOX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITB.

Performance

UFOX vs. ITB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) and iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UFOX achieves a 48.96% return, which is significantly higher than ITB's 0.87% return.

UFOX

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 48.96%
• 6M: 46.16%
• 1Y: 96.14%
• 3Y*: 42.93%
• 5Y*: 21.65%
• 10Y*: —

ITB

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 8.40%
• YTD: 0.87%
• 6M: -5.10%
• 1Y: 8.65%
• 3Y*: 7.35%
• 5Y*: 8.18%
• 10Y*: 14.45%

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

UFOX vs. ITB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	48.96%	34.83%	34.11%	21.83%	-27.26%	25.68%	29.78%	5.58%
ITB iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF	0.87%	-5.26%	2.06%	68.91%	-26.26%	49.25%	26.42%	27.81%

Correlation

The correlation between UFOX and ITB is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2019	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between UFOX and ITB has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

UFOX vs. ITB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UFOX	ITB
Technology	75.8%	-
Industrials	13.9%	19.5%
Communication Services	7.1%	-
Real Estate	3.2%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	71.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

UFOX vs. ITB — Risk / Return Rank

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

UFOX

UFOX Risk / Return Rank: 94
UFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
UFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
UFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
UFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
UFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

ITB

ITB Risk / Return Rank: 12
ITB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
ITB Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
ITB Omega Ratio Rank: 13
ITB Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
ITB Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

UFOX vs. ITB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) and iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB). 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.

	UFOX	ITB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.40	0.18	+3.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	0.53	+3.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.06	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.68	0.21	+6.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.71	0.41	+28.30

UFOX vs. ITB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UFOX Sharpe Ratio is 3.40, which is higher than the ITB Sharpe Ratio of 0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UFOX and ITB, 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

UFOX vs. ITB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UFOX drawdown since its inception was -33.90%, smaller than the maximum ITB drawdown of -86.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UFOX and ITB.

Drawdown Indicators

	UFOX	ITB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.90%	-86.53%	+52.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.14%	-26.04%	+11.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.14%	-33.35%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-40.55%	+6.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-52.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.69%	-23.53%	+12.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-37.08%	+28.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	13.45%	-10.16%

Volatility

UFOX vs. ITB - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) has a higher volatility of 13.40% compared to iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) at 9.26%. This indicates that UFOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UFOX	ITB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.40%	9.26%	+4.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.05%	20.89%	+2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.78%	29.90%	-2.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.05%	29.29%	-4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.48%	30.05%	-4.57%

UFOX vs. ITB - Expense Ratio Comparison

UFOX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than ITB's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

UFOX vs. ITB - Dividend Comparison

UFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than ITB's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITB iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF	1.17%	1.67%	0.46%	0.48%	0.86%	0.37%	0.46%	0.50%	0.63%	0.28%	0.43%	0.34%
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	0.39%	0.56%	0.79%	1.40%	1.63%	1.17%	0.99%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UFOX and ITB in my portfolio?

UFOX and ITB have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UFOX or ITB?

UFOX has higher volatility (13.40%) compared to ITB (9.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UFOX dropped -33.90% vs ITB's -86.53%.

Which ETF is better, UFOX or ITB?

On 5-year performance, UFOX leads with 21.65% vs 8.18% for ITB. On fees, UFOX is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, ITB has been the lower-risk option at 9.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UFOX or ITB?

Over the 5-year period, UFOX has performed better with a 21.65% return vs 8.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UFOX or ITB?

UFOX is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ITB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UFOX or ITB?

ITB has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.39% for UFOX.

What is the main difference between UFOX and ITB?

UFOX is categorized as Technology Equities, while ITB is Building & Construction. UFOX tracks BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while ITB tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for UFOX and 0.38% for ITB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UFOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.40 vs 0.18), 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.