AQWA vs. SHLD

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD).

AQWA and SHLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AQWA is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Solactive Global Clean Water Industry Index. It was launched on Apr 8, 2021. SHLD is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Global X Defense Tech Index - Benchmark TR Net. It was launched on Sep 11, 2023. Both AQWA and SHLD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

AQWA vs. SHLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AQWA vs. SHLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AQWA Global X Clean Water ETF	2.38%	13.15%	4.34%	11.85%
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	13.41%	74.16%	35.03%	12.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AQWA achieves a 2.38% return, which is significantly lower than SHLD's 13.41% return.

AQWA

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: -7.26%
• YTD: 2.38%
• 6M: -0.13%
• 1Y: 14.19%
• 3Y*: 11.24%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SHLD

• 1D: 3.73%
• 1M: -4.67%
• YTD: 13.41%
• 6M: 5.02%
• 1Y: 56.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AQWA vs. SHLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both AQWA and SHLD have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

AQWA

Global X Clean Water ETF

SHLD

Global X Defense Tech ETF

Return for Risk

AQWA vs. SHLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

AQWA

AQWA Risk / Return Rank: 45
AQWA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
AQWA Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
AQWA Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AQWA Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
AQWA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SHLD

SHLD Risk / Return Rank: 92
SHLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SHLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SHLD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

AQWA vs. SHLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD). 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.

	AQWA	SHLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	2.22	-1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	2.89	-1.52
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.38	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	3.90	-2.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.17	11.34	-7.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AQWA vs. SHLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AQWA Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the SHLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AQWA and SHLD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AQWA	SHLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	2.22	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	2.62	-2.25

Correlation

The correlation between AQWA and SHLD is 0.41, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

AQWA vs. SHLD - Dividend Comparison

AQWA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than SHLD's 0.48% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AQWA Global X Clean Water ETF	1.44%	1.47%	1.40%	1.53%	1.56%	1.20%
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	0.48%	0.55%	0.53%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

AQWA vs. SHLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AQWA drawdown since its inception was -29.44%, which is greater than SHLD's maximum drawdown of -15.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AQWA and SHLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	AQWA	SHLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.44%	-15.06%	-14.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-15.06%	+3.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.04%	-5.82%	-2.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-2.58%	-5.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.51%	5.18%	-1.67%

Volatility

AQWA vs. SHLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) is 5.57%, while Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) has a volatility of 9.74%. This indicates that AQWA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SHLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AQWA	SHLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	9.74%	-4.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.03%	18.64%	-8.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.19%	25.64%	-9.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	20.81%	-4.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.67%	20.81%	-4.14%