AIPI vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AIPI (REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by REX, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. AIPI is actively managed, while ITA is passively managed. Over the past year, AIPI returned 26.32% vs 25.56% for ITA. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AIPI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

AIPI vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIPI achieves a 8.78% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 5.92% return.

AIPI

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 8.78%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 26.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ITA

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 11.28%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 26.35%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 14.86%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIPI vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	8.78%	16.38%	15.79%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	5.92%	48.64%	7.14%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPI and ITA is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2024	0.45

AIPI vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIPI	ITA
Technology	90.9%	0.1%
Communication Services	5.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	99.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIPI vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AIPI

AIPI Risk / Return Rank: 47
AIPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AIPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
AIPI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AIPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
AIPI Martin Ratio Rank: 39

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 36
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AIPI vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AIPI	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.22	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	1.81	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.21	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	1.62	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.69	4.35	+1.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIPI vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is higher than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIPI and ITA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIPI	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.22	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.51	+0.47

Drawdowns

AIPI vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPI drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIPI and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIPI	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-59.72%	+34.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.40%	-15.82%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.52%	-9.25%	+6.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-9.46%	+4.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.64%	5.89%	-1.25%

Volatility

AIPI vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) is 4.45%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 7.09%. This indicates that AIPI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIPI	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	7.09%	-2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.28%	17.68%	-4.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.18%	21.12%	-4.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.44%	20.07%	+1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.44%	23.17%	-1.73%

AIPI vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIPI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIPI vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

AIPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 35.42%, more than ITA's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	35.42%	37.84%	18.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.47%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIPI and ITA in my portfolio?

AIPI and ITA have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIPI or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (7.09%) compared to AIPI (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIPI dropped -25.25% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, AIPI or ITA?

On 1-year performance, AIPI leads with 26.32% vs 25.56% for ITA. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, AIPI has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIPI or ITA?

Over the 1-year period, AIPI has performed better with a 26.32% return vs 25.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIPI or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for AIPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIPI or ITA?

AIPI has the higher dividend yield at 35.42%, compared with 0.47% for ITA.

What is the main difference between AIPI and ITA?

AIPI is categorized as Derivative Income, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. They also come from different issuers: REX and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AIPI and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIPI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.22), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.