U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) 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 WAR. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to WAR
WAR charges 0.60% annually. There are 13 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 | WAR vs XAR | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | WAR vs NATO | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.24M | Feb 2026 | WAR vs XDEF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.23B | May 2006 | WAR vs ITA | |
| U.S. Defense ETF | 0.45% | 2.95M | Apr 2026 | WAR vs DUTY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to WAR
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 53.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 53 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WAR vs GCAD | |
| Procure Space ETF | 43 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | WAR vs UFO | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 38 | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | WAR vs FOWF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 37 | 14.23B | May 2006 | WAR vs ITA | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 35 | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | WAR vs PPA |
Top Performing WAR Alternatives (YTD)
Among 19 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 17.90%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 17.90% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | WAR vs UFO | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 16.21% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WAR vs GCAD | |
| Truth Social American Security & Defense ETF | 14.93% | 12.67M | Dec 2025 | WAR vs TSSD | |
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 13.04% | 390.92M | May 2017 | WAR vs DFEN | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 9.63% | 14.23B | May 2006 | WAR vs ITA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to WAR
WAR has 49.13% 1-year volatility. There are 16 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 14.64% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | WAR vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.48% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | WAR vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.66% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WAR vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 21.81% | — | Oct 2024 | WAR vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 22.10% | 14.23B | May 2006 | WAR vs ITA |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to WAR
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go 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 | WAR vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | WAR vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | WAR vs GCAD | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -15.69% | 4.11B | May 2025 | WAR vs IDEF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.23B | May 2006 | WAR vs ITA |
Other ETFs from US Global
The 3 most viewed US Global ETFs shown here include GOAU, JETS, SEA and span 3 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $917M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 19 | -15.51% | 160.92M | Jun 2017 | WAR vs GOAU | |
| U.S. Global Jets ETF | Industrials Equities | 27 | 11.22% | 917.23M | Apr 2015 | WAR vs JETS | |
| U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF | Industrials Equities | 66 | 21.56% | 14.70M | Jan 2022 | WAR vs SEA |
Often Compared With WAR
Investors most often compare WAR with ARKX, DRNZ, KDEF. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare WAR with Any Fund or Stock
Compare WAR with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair WAR with funds that move differently
U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to WAR.
Explore WAR Diversifiers