VanEck Defense ETF A

ETF

ISIN: IE000YYE6WK5

Ticker: DFEN

IE000YYE6WK5

DFEN

Price

Discussão sobre DFEN

Postos

A Belgian investor

@On3_investment

3Semana·

Portfolio feedback for a Belgian guy !

Hey everyone! After seeing so many portfolio presentations, I decided to share mine today, following the advice of @DonkeyInvestor (link here)! 🚀

1. Investment horizon and goals

I am Belgian guy of 30 years old, already own an apartment, and have a mortgage to repay. I have been investing sporadically since I was 18, but I really started actively managing my investments in March 2024.

My main goal is to maximize my savings, with the flexibility to either buy a house in the future or allocate funds to another project. Because of this, my investment horizon is flexible but at least 5 years.

I then plan to keep investing long-term and see if this could help me achieve a certain level of financial independence. To be honest, in a rational (but admittedly a bit morbid) way, the inheritance I will receive one day could contribute to that goal—although I am not at all counting on it as a part of my strategy.

2. My strategy and how I intend to achieve my goals

A. Introduction

I already have an emergency fund covering six months of expenses, which gives me peace of mind and allows me to invest without short-term financial stress.

My job enables me to invest at save (for investment) €1,500 per month. Any bonus or additional income is either added to my investments, used to replenish my emergency fund, or allocated to vacations and other expenses.

Additionally, I have around €25,000 from selling mutual funds I purchased in my younger years. This gives me flexibility to pick individual stocks or invest in crypto when I see an opportunity.

B. Investment Strategy & Asset Allocation 🎯

I invest around €2,300 per month in a DCA approach in various ETFs. Then I invest in stock or crypto when I see an opportunity.

My goal is to build by end 2025 a portfolio with the following allocation:

~40% Individual Stocks (mainly large-cap growth & tech)
~7.5-10% Crypto (mainly Bitcoin, possibly some altcoins)
The remaining ~50% in ETFs, diversified across different regions and themes

C. Diversification & Experimentation 🎢

Within my ETF allocation, I allow myself to include thematic or higher-risk ETFs instead of only focusing on broad market indices.

I fully understand that this approach is not the most straightforward or simplest way to invest (see point 3). However, at this stage, I want to "have fun" with investing, testing stock picking and specific ETFs. Over time, I will assess whether this was a good decision and adjust if necessary (see point 4).

D. Risk-Taking & Adaptability 🔄

Since I am still young, I am willing to take on more risk, fully aware that I could also lose money. As I gain experience and see the performance of my portfolio, I will adapt my strategy if needed (again point 4).

3. My choice for the stocks in my portfolio

A. ETFs

After experimenting with different allocations, I’ve decided to aim for the following ETF distribution by the end of 2025 (as a percentage of my total portfolio, so including stock and crypto):

25%$IWDA (-1,03%) → Broad exposure to developed markets.
5%$IEMA (+0,17%) → Exposure to emerging markets
5%$XDEM (-1,03%) → Performance
2-2.5% in $MEUD (+0,15%) & $XNAS (-1,52%) → European and Nasdaq exposure to complement my stock picks.
10% in Thematic ETFs → I enjoy sector-specific plays and have selec $RBOT (-2,12%) , $W1TB (-3,43%) , $LCOC (-19,87%) , $SMH (-2,93%), $DFEN (-2,07%) to get exposure to robotics, Cocoa (because why not), semiconductors, and aerospace/defense.

B. Stocks

Like most of you, I love tech 😄, so a significant part of my individual stock portfolio is centered around it. I generally invest €2,000 per stock, sometimes in one go, sometimes split across multiple entries.

✅ Tech Giants & AI
$NVDA (-3,63%) (exception to my €2,000 rule)
$AMZN (-2,39%), $GOOGL (-2,28%), $MSFT (-1,57%) – Their global impact is massive and they are solid, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
$VST (-7,68%) – AI-driven energy demand is booming, and I chose Vistra Energy over other AI-linked power plays.
✅ European Exposure 🌍
$ENR (-4,27%)
(Siemens Energy) – A standout performer this year in Europe, and AI is a key factor in its growth.
$NOVO B (+5,32%)
(Novo Nordisk) – The obesity epidemic is a growing concern (also in Europe), and Novo Nordisk is a leader in the space.
✅ More Speculative Plays :
Palantir & Soundhound AI – Both are AI-related but carry higher risk. $PLTR (-3,33%) because of its massive presence in States' affairs. $SOUN is an even more speculative AI bet, but I believe in it for the voice aspects.
✅ Employee Shares : $ENGI (-0,55%)

C. Crypto

I chose Bitcoin mainly due to its volatility and the potential for "easy profits". I initially invested in July and, seeing Trump getting closer to the White House, I decided to increase my position, anticipating potential market movements linked to his policies and the broader macroeconomic environment. For now, I’m sticking to Bitcoin but might explore XRP and other assets in the future.

4. Insight into how I plan to further expand your portfolio

Based on my calculations, I should reach €100,000 invested by late 2025 or early 2026. My plan is to keep investing consistently to get closer to the allocation I outlined earlier.

A. Expanding My Stock Portfolio 📈

I plan to maybe reinforce some existing positions but overall exploring new opportunities. Some stocks I’m considering include:

Belgium: Syensqo, D’Ieteren
France: Schneider Electric
Banking sector: JP Morgan
E-commerce & emerging markets: MercadoLibre
Quantum computing: While highly speculative, I’m keeping an eye on this sector for the future. Since I already have exposure through Alphabet, I might consider IBM later on.
Biotech & Medical Startups 🧬: I’ve been tempted by some early-stage medical stocks, but the extreme volatility and risk keep me hesitant. A single failed clinical trial can wipe out a stock forever, making this sector too unpredictable for me at the moment.
I might also allow myself the occasional “easy trade”, but nothing certain yet.
Finally, I could include new thematic ETF's.

B. Crypto

For Bitcoin, I keep things simple: I invest €100 whenever I see a dip (sometimes multiple times per day or week), staying patient and accumulating over time. I’m curious to hear your views on where Bitcoin is headed.

C. Reviewing My Strategy in Late 2025 🔍

At the end of 2025, I’ll assess my portfolio, especially my thematic ETFs, by comparing them to the MSCI World. This will help me decide whether to stick with them or simplify my ETF strategy.
I’ll also review my stock picks to see if any adjustments are needed.
Given my horizon, I won’t make any rushed decisions.

D. Managing My Biggest Concern – US Exposure 🇺🇸

One of my main concerns is my heavy exposure to the US market, both through ETFs and stocks. However, given the current global economic landscape, it seems difficult to do otherwise while aiming for maximum returns.

For now, I’ll keep an eye on opportunities to diversify while ensuring that my investments remain aligned with my long-term strategy.

5. What I don’t want in my portfolio

I believe that investing inherently carries a level of amorality, especially when investing in broad-market ETFs that include a wide range of companies (but everyone has their own ethical perspective—let’s not start a debate on that! 😄).

That being said, I personally choose not to invest directly in companies involved in alcohol or tobacco. It’s a personal preference.

6. Conclusion 🎯

That’s it for this deep dive into my portfolio and a summary of my thoughts since May 2024, as well as since I started reading your posts in August.

Thanks for all the insightful discussions and shared knowledge—this is an amazing community, and I really appreciate the posts I read since August!

Have a great weekend and thanks you so much for reading so far!

Regards,

A Belgian investor

24Posições

€ 55.285,67

20,16%

app.getquin.comHowTo Portfolio feedback on GetQuin

12 Comentários

Seventrader@7Trader

3Semana

Well done presentation 😎🤞🏼

•

Ver todas as 2 restantes respostas

Armin

@Arminmnsl

1Mês·

Build a portfolio with 16

I've finally managed to convince my parents that it's time to dive into the stock market and start investing regularly. As of March, I have a monthly budget of €538 (mini-job), which I will invest in various ETFs and shares to build up a broadly diversified portfolio to have a good buffer after graduating from high school.

My plan:

1. core/buffer (70%)

The majority of my budget goes into broad and stable ETFs that offer broad diversification:

$IWDA (-1,03%) (200 €): This is my basic ETF that covers companies from the largest and developed markets. It offers a stable and long-term source of growth.

$CSNDX (-1,63%) (100 €): This ETF focuses on technology companies that are likely to continue to grow strongly over the next few years.

$XMME (+0,28%) (75 €): I also want to invest in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil to benefit from the momentum in these regions.

2. theme-specific ETFs (20%)

Here I focus on promising themes and markets:

$DFEN (-2,07%) (50 €): An ETF that invests in the defense industry, a sector that could continue to grow in the coming years.

$INRG (-0,55%) (50 €): Sustainability and the energy transition are important . I would therefore like to invest in renewable energies in order to benefit from green energy.

3. individual shares (10%)

I want to supplement my portfolio with individual stocks that have the potential for strong growth.

~60€ left for:

E.g

$NVDA (-3,63%)

$TKA (+0,54%)

I'm delighted that I can finally start investing and I'm excited to see how my portfolio will develop over the next few years!

Any ideas for improvement or tips? Keep them coming 👀

23 Comentários

1Mês

First of all, great respect.

But I would rather concentrate on your core, i.e. the first three mentioned, if you think this makes sense.

When it comes to ETFs, I'm not sure whether this is such a good addition. Palantir is the largest position, it's already in the Nasdaq anyway and I think also in the msci (if not, it shouldn't be too long now). That means you have Palantir in your portfolio three times. The same applies to NVIDIA. It also has to be said that it takes far too long until you have invested a reasonable amount in NVIDIA, rather the 50-100€ more in Nasdaq or msci, which invest in NVIDIA anyway.

The Energy ETF is nonsense in my opinion. There are already some companies in the MSCI. If there is a huge upswing there, they will very likely be represented in your core ETFs in the medium to long term anyway.

Concentrate on your World ETF at the beginning, see how the market develops, try to increase your salary (if you finish your training or studies at some point, or simply earn more money that way) and thus also save your money in the medium term.

Then, over time, there will always be setbacks where you can pick up an NVIDIA.

•

Mostrar resposta

dOk

@doks

1Mês·

Defence ETF 2025 switch

I just closed my entire $DFEN (-2,07%) position after a very good ride last year, switching it with the new $IVDF (-1,99%) because the VanEck ETF is currently too exposed to $PLTR (-3,33%) and with this structure it does not help me in my portfolio diversification (that is mainly tech, but I also believe that Palantir may not offer good earnings in 2025), while the new Invesco $IVDF (-1,99%) has a very cool and balanced composition ($RKLB (-6,21%)
$KTOS (-1,66%)
$AVAV (-1,71%)
$LDOS (-2,56%) to name few) and also a much lower TER.

From my point of view this is the best ETF for anyone looking to invest in the Defence sector at the moment (and I also had been invested on $ASWC (-2,25%) last year, then I decided to go completely on $DFEN (-2,07%) until today).

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE!!! 👀

07.01

Invesco Defence Innovation ETF

Comprado em € 5,28

10 Comentários

Thomas@waldbrandgefahr

1Mês

Good Point! I am considering $IVDF

•

Ver todas as 3 restantes respostas

0LIV3R

@PIXELINVESTOR

1Mês·

VanEck Defense ETF and/or iShares Global Aerospace & Defense ETF - what do you think?

Hello Community,

I am hesitating between two defense ETFs and would like to hear your opinions. Specifically, it is about the VanEck Defense ETF ($DFEN (-2,07%)) and the iShares Global Aerospace & Defense ETF ($DFND (-2,83%)).

My basic idea: A broadly diversified ETF such as the MSCI World is a solid core investment for me. I also like to focus on specific themes such as AI, robotics or healthcare in the long term. However, due to the current geopolitical situation, I also consider the defense and armaments industry to be a relevant area. The situation is unlikely to ease in the next few years, and companies such as Rheinmetall have ambitious growth plans (e.g. doubling sales and profits by 2027). Other companies in the sector are also in a strong position.

I would therefore like to add a suitable defense ETF to my savings plan in the long term.

Hence my questions:

Which of the two ETFs mentioned would you choose and why?
Does it make sense to perhaps even save in both?
Or do you think there is another ETF that is even more interesting in this area?

I look forward to hearing your opinions and welcome any recommendations or views!

7 Comentários

Kill_Baulitz@Johann_van_der_Smut

1Mês

I have the Defence ETF from Han and the one from vanEck and they have done very well. At the beginning of the year there were only the two. There was another discussion about defense ETFs here recently. It was also about the new $ARMG
I don't even know the $DFND yet

•

Mostrar resposta

Daniel

@Bidax

1Mês·

Sleepless, at Christmas 🫨 or what should it look like now...

Hello everyone,

In the last few days I have introduced myself and my portfolio. I have really taken your advice to heart and tried to implement it in a plausible way. Once again, a big thank you to everyone who has helped me with advice and constructive criticism. Merci! 😁

Today I'm summoning up my courage once again and presenting you with the result of the new and hopefully final restructuring. I have reduced the original 26 items to 6 items and aligned myself as follows. It didn't just come down to the $XDWL (-1,07%) ended up. I still wanted to have some accessories.

The conversion is being done step by step, so it will take some time

Xtrackers MSCI World ETF - $XDWL (-1,07%) - 65%

UBS LFS MSCI Emerging Markets ETF - $EMMUSA (+0,32%) - 5%

Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hi Div Yld ESG ETF - $XZDE (+0,25%) - 5%

Xtrackers DAX ETF - $XDDA (-0,6%) - 5%

VanEck Defense ETF A - $DFEN (-2,07%) - 15%

Xtrackers IE Physical Gold ETC Securities - $XGDU (+0,27%) - 5%

The main value will flow into the All-World and will be supplemented by a small weighting in emerging markets.

I deliberately chose Europe and Germany because I I assume that positive developments can be expected here again in the future. Must!

The Defence item will remain in the portfolio as long as the positive trend continues. Should this change, the stock will be reallocated to All-World.

Gold is a stock that I would also like to keep in the portfolio. I am still $BTC (-0,48%) I am still thinking about. Nothing planned (yet).

I would then allocate the monthly savings installment to the positions on a percentage basis.

That could be a reasonable basis for 2025, what do you think?

Thanks again for your feedback.

Best regards

Daniel

21 Comentários

Epi@Epi

1Mês

At 10%, you have weighted the emerging markets significantly higher than indicated. Why 10%? Since Germany is slowly being deindustrialized, is approaching EM in more and more metrics and the Dax is now highly correlated with EM indices, I would add the 5% Dax to the 5% EM.

Even if we may still be emotionally attached to the old days and our status as an industrialized nation, there are no longer many differences in terms of investment and politics.

The question remains whether 10% EM is acceptable to you?

•

Ver todas as 6 restantes respostas

Daniel

@Bidax

1Mês·

small performance

Hello dear community,

Christmas Eve is over and I thought I'd use the time to introduce myself. My name is Daniel, 45 years old, proud father of two grown-up daughters and I'm now also a member.

I burned a lot of money in the 90s with biotech shares on the "Neuer Markt". I think it was Quiagen. No matter. Back then, it wasn't as easy as it is today to get a comprehensive overview of the markets. I was cured for a long time and kept my hands off it. Looking back, not so clever 😩

With regard to my pension, I was actually not completely inactive and will probably have around 5K (per month) before taxes and contributions at 67. In addition, there are payments and shares from Riester, LV, industry pension and separate pension. That should be enough, as I'm actually a frugal person.

In addition, I'm venturing back onto the trading floor with shares and the like.

Now let's move on to my goals in the stock market world.

I want to create as much of a cushion as possible so that I can simply do what I want. Renovate a property, possibly sell it, go traveling, build a new home - anything is possible. And if I do end up giving up early, I want to provide my children with the best possible financial security.

To achieve this, I have structured my portfolio as follows.

35% shares

65% ETFs ETCs and funds

When it comes to shares, I have to admit that I am influenced by current trends and preferences for one brand or another. $AAPL (+0,26%) , $AMZN (-2,39%) etc., have tempted me. However, I quickly realized that I'm not the type for individual stocks. I'm keeping an eye on the shares, but I won't be expanding this part of my portfolio any further and will invest in ETFs again in due course.

In future, the focus will be on ETFs and ETCs, such as gold. $XGDU (+0,27%) gold.

My ETFs are roughly divided up as follows.

- Technology

- industry

- Armaments and defense

- gold

- Raw materials

These are mainly dividend-paying ETFs. I plan to keep reinvesting the dividends via the annual exemption order, in our case EUR 2,000, but save as much tax as possible.

Crypto is a closed book for me. I'm not cut out for this kind of thing. I just don't understand the principle. And somehow too late.

I probably should have invested 100 euros in $BTC (-0,48%) if I had known about it. Then I probably wouldn't have to worry about it today.

In addition to my initial investment, I would like to use the monthly savings installment of 500 euros with an annual growth rate of 3% for the next 20 years to perhaps take a bath in my bathtub like Scrooge McDuck. It probably won't be enough for the money bin, but what the heck.

My basis is the UniDynamicFonds: Global -net- A ($LU0096426845 (-2,63%) C ). Yes, I know it's a fund with a relatively high TR. It's a relic from days gone by. However, it has not done badly over the last five years. I will convert this main position into an ETF in due course and steadily build it up. The second fund will then also be transferred to ETFs. Here are the $XAIX (-2,35%) and the $XUTC (-2,32%) are ready.

But I will come back to you with a separate question.

My current larger positions are

- UniDynamicFonds: Global net A $LU0096426845 (-2,63%)

- UniSector: HighTech A $LU0101441672 (+0,02%)

- VanEck Defense ETF A $DFEN (-2,07%)

- VanEck Semiconductor ETF A $IE00BMC38736 (-2,93%)

- IE Physical Gold ETC Securities $XGDU (+0,27%)

- VanEck Ms Developed Markets Div Lead ETF $TDIV (-0,63%)

- SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF $SPSA (-1,24%)

The rest is somewhat broadly diversified. I find Health very interesting, but here I have chosen two individual stocks $$NOVO B (+5,32%) & $DXCM (-0,28%) "and I'm still looking for the right ETF. Here I have the $XUHC (+0,11%) for the time being.

In the near future I will be looking at Japan $UIM5 (-0,24%) Nordic countries $XDN0 (+0,91%) Europe $V3EL (+0,24%) and also Germany $VGER (-0,47%) further. I also see long-term potential here and I am creating some distance from my very US and technology-heavy investment stocks.

Roughly speaking, my portfolio should have a large all-world ETF and everything else around it - in keeping with the current times - is the Christmas bauble around the tree.

I look forward to any feedback.

Have a nice holiday season

Best regards

Daniel

____

Thanks to @DonkeyInvestor for the guide 🤪

19 Comentários

Smudo@Smudeo

1Mês

Welcome back to the stock market.
You have the absence so: In addition to gains, you could have made further losses.
Your head was free for your family for the last few decades and you had a good time.
Good luck on the stock market now and thumbs up

•

TaxesAreTheft

@TaxesAreTheft

2Mês·

My ETF portfolio

Only completed this month, so the gains and losses are perhaps a little strange.

$IUIT (-2,19%)

$DFEN (-2,07%)

The Information Tech ETF serves to invest as focused as possible in all the compounders, I would generally prefer the equal weight variant, but unfortunately it is not yet available in Europe as far as I know. The VanEck ETF is intended to protect the portfolio somewhat from geopolitical risks, and the companies are also quite interesting and all have the state as a major customer, either directly or indirectly, which I think is a very good addition. Weighting is around 55% at the beginning and will be rebalanced as soon as the equities exceed the 80-85% threshold. In this way, I hope to take as much upside as possible and leave the equity area largely unhindered.

$IGLN (-0,55%)

The 22% weighting is based on the post from dear @Epi regarding gold.

$DTLA (+0,9%)

$IDTP (+0,4%)

$IBTA (+0,15%)

Like gold, the combination of bonds is intended to take out some volatility and provide an alternative cash position. However, I am considering possibly exchanging the 1-3 year bonds for BTC.

7 Comentários

Epi@Epi

2Mês

Looks good! Finally a decently diversified portfolio. But it's true, BTC is missing. Under certain conditions, BTC can even reduce the risk in the portfolio.

•

Ver todas as 4 restantes respostas

soylent_black

@soylent_black

3Mês·

Hi guys! Any thoughts on my portfolio? I started investing on march 2024, starting from 100€ and 0 knowledge. I’ve done many mistakes and already sold some positions (every time with profit, even if only 10€ profit). I’m still a noob and keep studying every day so please be kind 🤣

As you can see I also have some single stocks, these are just fun money and I’m using them just for buy and sell and make profit. I’m reinvesting on ETFs all the profits I make from stocks.

Basically I’m going to build my portfolio this way:

50% $VWCE (-0,92%) (this one will always be the core)

10% $WGLD (+0,27%)

10% $ZPRV (-1,97%)

5%/10% fun money (single stocks and a just a lil bit of cripto)

Aside from this portfolio I also have 10k on $XEON (+0,01%) (this is basically my “emergency funds”, since I don’t like/know a lot single bonds and etf bonds).

Thank you in advance!

2 Comentários

3Mês

You can sell anything under 3% allocation to simplify it.

••

Mostrar resposta

Finanzaristokrat

@Finanzaristokrat

4Mês·

Moral doubts? Coming soon to the depot. $DFEN (-2,07%)

12 Comentários

Silas@Bein-Godik

4Mês

Since when is defense morally dubious?

•

Ver todas as 2 restantes respostas

Sebastian

@Shotmaster

4Mês·

Hello dear Gequin Community,

I am currently working on restructuring my portfolio. Historically, I currently have a few funds and a number of individual shares.

I would like to switch the funds to ETFs and continue to save in them.

Classically, I would now select the following ETFs:

$VWCE (-0,92%) / $VHYL (-0,58%) and $VFEG (+0,39%)

Now my little thought experiment: Why should I limit myself to three ETFS when I could spread the whole thing much more widely? I have also thought about something like this (with smaller sums, of course):

Of course I have a few duplications here, but I am much more differentiated.

Does this approach make sense in your eyes or is it a modest idea?

6 Comentários

Luffy@Luffy3D2Y

4Mês

Even if some disagree, sector ETFs are not a slice of the pie. It's just like a casino. You bet on a sector and hope to achieve an excess return. It can go well, but it can also go wrong. If you're aware of that, then it's okay. And why shouldn't you limit yourself to just three ETFs? First of all, what is your goal with more than three ETFs? You want to switch for a specific reason. Is that still the case? Do you want to go to the trouble of weighting the individual ETFs depending on what's going well or badly?

•

Ver todas as 2 restantes respostas

Títulos em alta

Principais criadores desta semana

Dados financeiros da FactSet