VGK vs. DFEU.L
VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) and DFEU.L (iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF EUR Accumulating) are both exchange-traded funds - VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while DFEU.L is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the STOXX Europe Targeted Defence Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGK charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for DFEU.L.
Performance
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
VGK is traded in USD, while DFEU.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the DFEU.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGK achieves a 7.69% return, which is significantly higher than DFEU.L's 3.27% return.
VGK
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 2.46%
- YTD
- 7.69%
- 6M
- 9.92%
- 1Y
- 19.73%
- 3Y*
- 16.69%
- 5Y*
- 8.50%
- 10Y*
- 10.28%
DFEU.L
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 7.85%
- YTD
- 3.27%
- 6M
- 4.91%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 7.69% | 8.84% |
DFEU.L iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF EUR Accumulating | 3.27% | -15.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGK and DFEU.L is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2025 | 0.38 |
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Return for Risk
VGK vs. DFEU.L — Risk / Return Rank
VGK
DFEU.L
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) and iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF EUR Accumulating (DFEU.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.
| VGK | DFEU.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.52 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGK drawdown since its inception was -63.61%, which is greater than DFEU.L's maximum drawdown of -24.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGK and DFEU.L.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGK | DFEU.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.61% | -24.70% | -38.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.09% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.31% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.74% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.24% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.50% | -14.50% | +14.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.33% | -11.50% | -1.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.27% | — | — |
Volatility
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VGK | DFEU.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.82% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.36% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.92% | 39.73% | -23.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.98% | 39.73% | -21.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.95% | 39.73% | -20.78% |
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGK has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEU.L's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGK vs. DFEU.L - Dividend Comparison
VGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%, while DFEU.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEU.L iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF EUR Accumulating | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 2.76% | 2.86% | 3.61% | 3.15% | 3.25% | 3.05% | 2.11% | 3.27% | 3.95% | 2.70% | 3.52% | 3.25% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGK and DFEU.L have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for DFEU.L.
VGK is categorized as Europe Equities, while DFEU.L is Aerospace & Defense. VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while DFEU.L tracks STOXX Europe Targeted Defence Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VGK and 0.35% for DFEU.L.
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