Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) 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 SHLD. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SHLD
SHLD charges 0.50% annually. There are 8 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 6.22B | Sep 2011 | SHLD vs XAR | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | SHLD vs NATO | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.24M | Feb 2026 | SHLD vs XDEF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.23B | May 2006 | SHLD vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 5.37M | Sep 2025 | SHLD vs WDGF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SHLD
SHLD has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 9. There are 11 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 47.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 47 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | SHLD vs GCAD | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 34 | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | SHLD vs FOWF | |
| Procure Space ETF | 34 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | SHLD vs UFO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 29 | 14.23B | May 2006 | SHLD vs ITA | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 28 | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | SHLD vs PPA |
Top Performing SHLD Alternatives (YTD)
SHLD is at -7.27% YTD. There are 16 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.02%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truth Social American Security & Defense ETF | 16.02% | 12.67M | Dec 2025 | SHLD vs TSSD | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 15.30% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | SHLD vs GCAD | |
| Procure Space ETF | 13.16% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | SHLD vs UFO | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 8.60% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | SHLD vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 7.88% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | SHLD vs PPA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SHLD
SHLD has 25.12% 1-year volatility. There are 8 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 14.60% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | SHLD vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.45% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | SHLD vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.67% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | SHLD vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 21.79% | — | Oct 2024 | SHLD vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 22.11% | 14.23B | May 2006 | SHLD vs ITA |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SHLD
SHLD has a 1-year max drawdown of -25.40%. There are 9 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -10.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | -10.08% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | SHLD vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | SHLD vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | SHLD vs GCAD | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -15.69% | 4.11B | May 2025 | SHLD vs IDEF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.23B | May 2006 | SHLD vs ITA |
Other ETFs from Global X
The 10 most viewed Global X ETFs shown here include QYLD, AIQ, URA and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF | Nasdaq-100, Derivative Income | 85 | 8.37% | 8.37B | Dec 2013 | SHLD vs QYLD | |
| Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF | Technology Equities | 44 | 16.62% | 10.08B | May 2018 | SHLD vs AIQ | |
| Global X Uranium ETF | Uranium | 11 | -8.47% | 5.92B | Nov 2010 | SHLD vs URA | |
| Global X Copper Miners ETF | Copper | 56 | 4.38% | 6.98B | Apr 2010 | SHLD vs COPX | |
| Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Themat... | Robotics, Technology Equities | 16 | -1.88% | 3.44B | Sep 2016 | SHLD vs BOTZ | |
| Global X Silver Miners ETF | Silver, Precious Metals | 30 | -13.78% | 4.14B | Apr 2010 | SHLD vs SIL | |
| Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF | Derivative Income, S&P 500 | 90 | 7.24% | 3.22B | Jun 2013 | SHLD vs XYLD | |
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | REIT | 70 | 31.00% | 2.25B | Oct 2020 | SHLD vs DTCR | |
| Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF | Industrials Equities | 53 | 19.02% | 14.01B | Mar 2017 | SHLD vs PAVE | |
| Global X SuperDividend ETF | Global Equities, Dividend | 50 | 8.75% | 1.20B | Jun 2011 | SHLD vs SDIV |
Often Compared With SHLD
Investors most often compare SHLD with EUAD, XAD.TO, SPY. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SHLD with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SHLD with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SHLD with funds that move differently
Global X Defense Tech ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SHLD.
Explore SHLD Diversifiers