FITE vs. IDEF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FITE (SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF) and IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FITE is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Future Security Index, while IDEF is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by iShares. FITE is passively managed, while IDEF is actively managed. Over the past year, FITE returned 44.10% vs 16.11% for IDEF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FITE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for IDEF.

Performance

FITE vs. IDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) and iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FITE achieves a 22.77% return, which is significantly higher than IDEF's 2.45% return.

FITE

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -3.30%
• YTD: 22.77%
• 6M: 19.69%
• 1Y: 44.10%
• 3Y*: 30.69%
• 5Y*: 15.14%
• 10Y*: —

IDEF

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: -3.83%
• YTD: 2.45%
• 6M: 0.08%
• 1Y: 16.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FITE vs. IDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	22.77%	23.07%
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	2.45%	21.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FITE and IDEF is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2025	0.81

The correlation between FITE and IDEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

FITE vs. IDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FITE	IDEF
Technology	53.8%	11.7%
Industrials	37.6%	85.4%
Communication Services	4.2%	0.0%
Healthcare	2.6%	-
Energy	1.9%	1.0%
Basic Materials	-	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

FITE vs. IDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FITE

FITE Risk / Return Rank: 51
FITE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FITE Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
FITE Omega Ratio Rank: 45
FITE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
FITE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

IDEF

IDEF Risk / Return Rank: 22
IDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
IDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

FITE vs. IDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) and iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF). 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.

	FITE	IDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	0.73	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	1.18	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.14	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	1.09	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	2.57	+5.33

FITE vs. IDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FITE Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is higher than the IDEF Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FITE and IDEF, 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

FITE vs. IDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FITE drawdown since its inception was -36.90%, which is greater than IDEF's maximum drawdown of -14.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FITE and IDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FITE	IDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.90%	-14.78%	-22.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.35%	-14.78%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.62%	-14.23%	+2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-4.30%	-3.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.60%	6.28%	-0.68%

Volatility

FITE vs. IDEF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) has a higher volatility of 12.19% compared to iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) at 8.84%. This indicates that FITE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FITE	IDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.19%	8.84%	+3.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.45%	18.93%	+2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.49%	22.10%	+4.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.79%	21.57%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.21%	21.57%	+1.64%

FITE vs. IDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FITE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than IDEF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

FITE vs. IDEF - Dividend Comparison

FITE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than IDEF's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	0.14%	0.23%	0.12%	0.13%	0.12%	0.92%	0.88%	0.44%	1.79%
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	0.34%	0.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FITE and IDEF in my portfolio?

FITE and IDEF have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FITE or IDEF?

FITE has higher volatility (12.19%) compared to IDEF (8.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FITE dropped -36.90% vs IDEF's -14.78%.

Which ETF is better, FITE or IDEF?

On 1-year performance, FITE leads with 44.10% vs 16.11% for IDEF. On fees, FITE is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IDEF has been the lower-risk option at 8.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FITE or IDEF?

Over the 1-year period, FITE has performed better with a 44.10% return vs 16.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FITE or IDEF?

FITE is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IDEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FITE or IDEF?

IDEF has the higher dividend yield at 0.34%, compared with 0.14% for FITE.

What is the main difference between FITE and IDEF?

FITE is categorized as Technology Equities, while IDEF is Aerospace & Defense. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FITE and 0.55% for IDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FITE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 0.73), 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.