PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) Alternatives
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) belongs to the Aerospace & Defense category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with KDEF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF charges 0.65% annually. Among ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among KDEF alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | Feb 19, 2026 | KDEF vs XDEF | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | Oct 10, 2024 | KDEF vs NATO | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | Sep 28, 2011 | KDEF vs XAR | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.42% | May 5, 2006 | KDEF vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | Sep 10, 2025 | KDEF vs WDAF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to KDEF
Among ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 96 | Apr 11, 2019 | KDEF vs UFO | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 94 | Jan 3, 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 92 | Sep 28, 2011 | KDEF vs XAR | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 92 | Oct 26, 2005 | KDEF vs PPA | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 89 | May 5, 2006 | KDEF vs ITA |
Top Performing KDEF Alternatives (YTD)
KDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 15.94% | Apr 11, 2019 | KDEF vs UFO | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 11.28% | Sep 10, 2025 | KDEF vs WDAF | |
| REX Drone ETF | 9.89% | Oct 29, 2025 | KDEF vs DRNZ | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 7.15% | Sep 10, 2025 | KDEF vs WDGF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 7.13% | Jan 3, 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | 20.00% | May 19, 2025 | KDEF vs IDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.51% | Jan 3, 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 21.55% | Sep 10, 2025 | KDEF vs WDGF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.64% | Oct 26, 2005 | KDEF vs PPA | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 22.63% | Oct 10, 2024 | KDEF vs NATO |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF alternatives from the Aerospace & Defense category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | Oct 26, 2005 | KDEF vs PPA | |
| U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.06% | Dec 30, 2024 | KDEF vs WAR | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | Jan 3, 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | May 5, 2006 | KDEF vs ITA | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | -15.99% | Oct 10, 2024 | KDEF vs NATO |
Often Compared With KDEF
What investors most often compare with KDEF, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare KDEF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare KDEF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.