FXR vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXR (First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXR is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Industrials Index, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXR returned 12.70%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for ITA. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXR charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

FXR vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) 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, FXR achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 4.82% return. Over the past 10 years, FXR has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 12.70%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.82% annualized return.

FXR

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 10.07%
• 1Y: 20.53%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 12.70%

ITA

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 26.06%
• 3Y*: 26.89%
• 5Y*: 15.93%
• 10Y*: 14.82%

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

FXR vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	8.45%	7.56%	16.19%	26.98%	-16.68%	25.07%	12.82%	33.42%	-15.12%	24.20%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	4.82%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FXR and ITA is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.75

The correlation between FXR and ITA shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FXR vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXR	ITA
Industrials	70.5%	99.8%
Technology	10.3%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Financial Services	3.4%	-
Healthcare	0.7%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FXR vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXR

FXR Risk / Return Rank: 31
FXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
FXR Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FXR Martin Ratio Rank: 32

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 32
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

FXR vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) 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.

	FXR	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.26	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	1.84	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.22	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	1.65	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.82	4.49	+0.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXR vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXR Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXR 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

	FXR	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	1.26	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.80	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.64	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.51	-0.13

Drawdowns

FXR vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXR drawdown since its inception was -63.81%, which is greater than ITA's maximum drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXR and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXR	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.81%	-59.72%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-15.82%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.65%	-15.82%	-10.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-18.72%	-8.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.71%	-51.00%	+6.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.35%	-10.19%	+4.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.35%	-9.46%	-0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	5.82%	-1.55%

Volatility

FXR vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) is 5.52%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 7.28%. This indicates that FXR 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

	FXR	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	7.28%	-1.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.61%	17.47%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	20.86%	-1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.57%	20.02%	+0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.92%	23.14%	-1.22%

FXR vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXR has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXR vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

FXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, more than ITA's 0.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	0.63%	0.71%	0.72%	0.77%	0.92%	0.52%	1.06%	0.74%	1.18%	0.55%	0.52%	0.62%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.48%	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 FXR and ITA in my portfolio?

FXR and ITA have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXR or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (7.28%) compared to FXR (5.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXR dropped -63.81% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, FXR or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 14.82% vs 12.70% for FXR. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, FXR has been the lower-risk option at 5.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXR or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 14.82% return vs 12.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXR or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FXR.

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

FXR has the higher dividend yield at 0.63%, compared with 0.48% for ITA.

What is the main difference between FXR and ITA?

FXR is categorized as Industrials Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. FXR tracks StrataQuant Industrials Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FXR and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 1.09), 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.