BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

BNKS.AX (BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF) and ARMR.AX (Betashares Global Defence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNKS.AX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Banks Hedged AUD Index, while ARMR.AX is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the VettaFi Global Defence Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BNKS.AX returned 47.09% vs -3.36% for ARMR.AX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNKS.AX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ARMR.AX.

Performance

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF (BNKS.AX) and Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNKS.AX achieves a 19.38% return, which is significantly higher than ARMR.AX's -6.62% return.

BNKS.AX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 6.86%
• 6M: 18.90%
• YTD: 19.38%
• 1Y: 47.09%
• 3Y*: 35.60%
• 5Y*: 18.53%
• 10Y*: —

ARMR.AX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -3.73%
• 6M: -19.26%
• YTD: -6.62%
• 1Y: -3.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BNKS.AX BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF	19.38%	46.54%	10.78%
ARMR.AX Betashares Global Defence ETF	-6.62%	47.73%	12.11%

Correlation

The correlation between BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2024	0.28

Return for Risk

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BNKS.AX

BNKS.AX Risk / Return Rank: 87
BNKS.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BNKS.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BNKS.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
BNKS.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BNKS.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

ARMR.AX

ARMR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 8
ARMR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
ARMR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
ARMR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
ARMR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
ARMR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF (BNKS.AX) and Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX). 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.

	BNKS.AX	ARMR.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	-0.08	+2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	0.05	+3.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.01	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	-0.09	+3.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.60	-0.18	+12.79

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNKS.AX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is higher than the ARMR.AX Sharpe Ratio of -0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX, 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

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNKS.AX drawdown since its inception was -50.73%, which is greater than ARMR.AX's maximum drawdown of -22.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNKS.AX	ARMR.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.73%	-22.93%	-27.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.53%	-22.93%	+9.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.49%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-20.43%	+20.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.97%	-5.62%	-6.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	10.96%	-7.18%

Volatility

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF (BNKS.AX) is 3.57%, while Betashares Global Defence ETF (ARMR.AX) has a volatility of 8.91%. This indicates that BNKS.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARMR.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNKS.AX	ARMR.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	8.91%	-5.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.92%	19.25%	-3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.15%	23.85%	-5.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.23%	23.54%	-4.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.33%	23.54%	-3.21%

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNKS.AX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than ARMR.AX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

BNKS.AX vs. ARMR.AX - Dividend Comparison

BNKS.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than ARMR.AX's 2.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARMR.AX Betashares Global Defence ETF	2.08%	2.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BNKS.AX BetaShares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF	4.63%	0.72%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	2.71%	0.00%	1.23%	3.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX in my portfolio?

BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BNKS.AX or ARMR.AX?

On fees, ARMR.AX is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNKS.AX or ARMR.AX?

ARMR.AX is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for BNKS.AX.

What is the main difference between BNKS.AX and ARMR.AX?

BNKS.AX is categorized as Financials Equities, while ARMR.AX is Aerospace & Defense. BNKS.AX tracks Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Banks Hedged AUD Index, while ARMR.AX tracks VettaFi Global Defence Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for BNKS.AX and 0.55% for ARMR.AX.