DFND vs SPY
Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFND or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DFND | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.75% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.95% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 78 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.8%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.6%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 9.9 years | $19,180 | $37,881Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 266 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DFND has data through Dec 12, 2025 and SPY through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 9.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 14, 2016 to Dec 12, 2025 (9.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 10.8% for DFND. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -22.6% for DFND and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFND charges 1.75% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $175 vs $9 annually, a gap of $166 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFND currently yields 0.95% against 1.01% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFND and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFND or SPY?
DFND has an expense ratio of 1.75% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $166 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DFND or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 10.8% for DFND. Worst drawdown: DFND -22.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both DFND and SPY?
DFND and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFND or SPY?
DFND yields 0.95% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFND?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.