YLDE vs. DFND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YLDE (ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF) and DFND (Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLDE is a Dividend fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while DFND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender Index. YLDE is actively managed, while DFND is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YLDE returned 9.54%/yr vs 4.54%/yr for DFND. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YLDE charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for DFND.

Performance

YLDE vs. DFND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

YLDE

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 4.09%
• 6M: 5.06%
• 1Y: 13.89%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 9.54%
• 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)

YLDE vs. DFND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
YLDE ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF	4.09%	13.09%	16.44%	15.69%	-8.56%	22.12%	10.35%	32.46%	-5.74%	11.35%
DFND Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF	0.00%	10.37%	8.48%	12.13%	-19.59%	14.80%	16.12%	19.53%	-1.83%	9.81%

Correlation

The correlation between YLDE 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	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2017	0.39

Over the past year, the correlation between YLDE and DFND has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.39, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

YLDE vs. DFND — Risk / Return Rank

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

YLDE

YLDE Risk / Return Rank: 41
YLDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
YLDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
YLDE Omega Ratio Rank: 40
YLDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
YLDE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

YLDE vs. DFND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF (YLDE) 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.

	YLDE	DFND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	0.02	+1.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	0.11	+2.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.02	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	0.07	+1.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.84	0.13	+6.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YLDE vs. DFND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YLDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the DFND Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YLDE 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

	YLDE	DFND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	0.02	+1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.21	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.36	+0.39

Drawdowns

YLDE vs. DFND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YLDE drawdown since its inception was -33.23%, which is greater than DFND's maximum drawdown of -22.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLDE and DFND.

Drawdown Indicators

	YLDE	DFND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.23%	-22.65%	-10.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.59%	-3.44%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.42%	-12.56%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.22%	-22.65%	+2.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	-3.69%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-5.70%	+2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	3.70%	-1.67%

Volatility

YLDE vs. DFND - Volatility Comparison

ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF (YLDE) has a higher volatility of 1.81% compared to Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF (DFND) at 0.00%. This indicates that YLDE'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

	YLDE	DFND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	0.00%	+1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.74%	6.16%	+0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.31%	10.92%	-1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.50%	22.46%	-8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.76%	19.09%	-3.33%

YLDE vs. DFND - Expense Ratio Comparison

YLDE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than DFND's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

YLDE vs. DFND - Dividend Comparison

YLDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.04%, 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%
YLDE ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF	7.04%	5.68%	1.69%	1.64%	1.68%	1.15%	1.46%	1.65%	2.25%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YLDE and DFND in my portfolio?

YLDE 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, YLDE or DFND?

YLDE has higher volatility (1.81%) compared to DFND (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLDE dropped -33.23% vs DFND's -22.65%.

Which ETF is better, YLDE or DFND?

On 5-year performance, YLDE leads with 9.54% vs 4.54% for DFND. On fees, YLDE is cheaper at 0.60% 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, YLDE or DFND?

Over the 5-year period, YLDE has performed better with a 9.54% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YLDE or DFND?

YLDE is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.50% for DFND.

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

YLDE has the higher dividend yield at 7.04%, compared with 0.62% for DFND.

What is the main difference between YLDE and DFND?

YLDE is categorized as Dividend, while DFND is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and SRN Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for YLDE and 1.50% for DFND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YLDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 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.