AIRR vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIRR returned 22.05%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for XAR. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIRR charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

AIRR vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIRR achieves a 31.74% return, which is significantly higher than XAR's 16.10% return. Over the past 10 years, AIRR has outperformed XAR with an annualized return of 22.05%, while XAR has yielded a comparatively lower 18.45% annualized return.

AIRR

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 31.74%
• 6M: 28.77%
• 1Y: 65.25%
• 3Y*: 35.29%
• 5Y*: 25.46%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

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

AIRR vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.74%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between AIRR and XAR is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.75

The correlation between AIRR and XAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIRR vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIRR	XAR
Industrials	84.6%	99.1%
Financial Services	9.6%	-
Energy	3.8%	-
Technology	0.5%	0.8%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIRR vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 86
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

AIRR vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIRR	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	1.50	+1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.20	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.25	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.01	2.43	+2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.33	6.81	+11.52

AIRR vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIRR Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is higher than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIRR and XAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AIRR vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIRR drawdown since its inception was -42.37%, smaller than the maximum XAR drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIRR and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIRR	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.37%	-46.37%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.09%	-17.22%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.95%	-19.73%	-8.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.95%	-32.40%	+4.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-46.37%	+4.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-4.32%	+2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-6.78%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	6.13%	-2.56%

Volatility

AIRR vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) is 9.32%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 11.46%. This indicates that AIRR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIRR	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	11.46%	-2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.81%	23.56%	-2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.19%	27.85%	-1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	23.66%	+1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.36%	24.74%	+1.62%

AIRR vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIRR has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIRR vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than XAR's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIRR and XAR in my portfolio?

AIRR and XAR have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIRR or XAR?

XAR has higher volatility (11.46%) compared to AIRR (9.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIRR dropped -42.37% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, AIRR or XAR?

On 10-year performance, AIRR leads with 22.05% vs 18.45% for XAR. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AIRR has been the lower-risk option at 9.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIRR or XAR?

Over the 10-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 22.05% return vs 18.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIRR or XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIRR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIRR or XAR?

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.13% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between AIRR and XAR?

AIRR is categorized as Building & Construction, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for AIRR and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.50), 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.