DFND vs ZALT
Siren DIVCON Dividend Defender ETF vs Innovator US Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly
Which is better, DFND or ZALT?
ZALT has been ahead.
ZALT has a lower expense ratio. ZALT 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 | ZALT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.75% | 0.69%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $794M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.95% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 78 | 18 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 3.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.6% | -8.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,920 | $12,698Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 14, 2016 | Oct 2, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 306 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 ZALT through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 2, 2023 to Dec 12, 2025 (2.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 3.9% for ZALT. 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 -12.6% for DFND and -8.2% for ZALT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFND charges 1.75% per year while ZALT charges 0.69%. On a $10,000 position that is $175 vs $69 annually, a gap of $106 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFND currently yields 0.95% against 0.00% for ZALT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFND and ZALT 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 ZALT?
DFND has an expense ratio of 1.75% while ZALT charges 0.69%. ZALT is the cheaper option, by $106 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DFND or ZALT?
DFND has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 3.9% for ZALT. Worst drawdown: DFND -12.6% vs ZALT -8.2%.
Should I hold both DFND and ZALT?
DFND and ZALT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 ZALT?
DFND yields 0.95% while ZALT yields 0.00%, so DFND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZALT better than DFND?
ZALT has a lower expense ratio. ZALT 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.