IBIT vs. ITA

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIT returned -44.68% vs 17.50% for ITA. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBIT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

IBIT vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) 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, IBIT achieves a -25.70% return, which is significantly lower than ITA's 6.94% return.

IBIT

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 3.57%
• 6M: -31.99%
• YTD: -25.70%
• 1Y: -44.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.65%

ITA

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -4.07%
• 6M: -5.82%
• YTD: 6.94%
• 1Y: 17.50%
• 3Y*: 26.28%
• 5Y*: 17.28%
• 10Y*: 14.73%
• ALL TIME*: 12.59%

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

IBIT vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-25.70%	-6.41%	89.87%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	6.94%	48.64%	19.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IBIT and ITA is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.28

Return for Risk

IBIT vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 2
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 29
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 27
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

IBIT vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) 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.

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.

	IBIT	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.01	0.80	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.50	1.28	-2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.15	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.84	1.11	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.34	2.84	-4.18

IBIT vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBIT Sharpe Ratio is -1.01, which is lower than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBIT 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.

Drawdowns

IBIT vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBIT drawdown since its inception was -53.30%, smaller than the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIT and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBIT	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.30%	-59.72%	+6.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.30%	-15.82%	-37.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.25%	-8.58%	-39.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.81%	-9.43%	-8.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.42%	6.17%	+27.25%

Volatility

IBIT vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a higher volatility of 10.67% compared to iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) at 5.64%. This indicates that IBIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBIT	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.67%	5.64%	+5.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.60%	18.00%	+16.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.40%	22.15%	+22.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.85%	20.16%	+29.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.85%	23.25%	+26.60%

IBIT vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBIT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBIT vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.46%	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 IBIT and ITA in my portfolio?

IBIT and ITA have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBIT or ITA?

IBIT has higher volatility (10.67%) compared to ITA (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIT dropped -53.30% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, IBIT or ITA?

On 1-year performance, ITA leads with 17.50% vs -44.68% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, ITA has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBIT or ITA?

Over the 1-year period, ITA has performed better with a 17.50% return vs -44.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBIT or ITA?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ITA.

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

ITA has the higher dividend yield at 0.46%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between IBIT and ITA?

IBIT is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IBIT and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs -1.01), 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.