IBIT vs. SHLD
IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) and SHLD (Global X Defense Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SHLD is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Global X Defense Tech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIT returned -39.82% vs 4.03% for SHLD. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBIT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SHLD.
Performance
IBIT vs. SHLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBIT achieves a -28.88% return, which is significantly lower than SHLD's -6.53% return.
IBIT
- 1D
- -3.26%
- 1M
- -17.81%
- YTD
- -28.88%
- 6M
- -28.88%
- 1Y
- -39.82%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SHLD
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -7.05%
- YTD
- -6.53%
- 6M
- -8.73%
- 1Y
- 4.03%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBIT vs. SHLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -28.88% | -6.41% | 89.87% |
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF | -6.53% | 74.16% | 33.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBIT and SHLD is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024 | 0.29 |
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Return for Risk
IBIT vs. SHLD — Risk / Return Rank
IBIT
SHLD
IBIT vs. SHLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) 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.
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 | SHLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.86 | 1.05 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.77 | 0.18 | -0.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.30 | 0.46 | -1.77 |
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Drawdowns
IBIT vs. SHLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBIT drawdown since its inception was -52.11%, which is greater than SHLD's maximum drawdown of -22.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIT and SHLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBIT | SHLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -52.11% | -22.38% | -29.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -52.11% | -22.38% | -29.73% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -50.47% | -22.38% | -28.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.85% | -3.49% | -13.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 30.58% | 8.69% | +21.89% |
Volatility
IBIT vs. SHLD - Volatility Comparison
iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a higher volatility of 13.18% compared to Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) at 9.04%. This indicates that IBIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBIT | SHLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.18% | 9.04% | +4.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.64% | 20.19% | +14.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 44.31% | 24.71% | +19.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 50.22% | 21.33% | +28.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 50.22% | 21.33% | +28.89% |
IBIT vs. SHLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBIT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SHLD's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBIT vs. SHLD - Dividend Comparison
IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SHLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF | 0.59% | 0.55% | 0.53% | 0.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBIT and SHLD have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBIT has higher volatility (13.18%) compared to SHLD (9.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIT dropped -52.11% vs SHLD's -22.38%.
On 1-year performance, SHLD leads with 4.03% vs -39.82% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SHLD has been the lower-risk option at 9.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SHLD has performed better with a 4.03% return vs -39.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SHLD.
SHLD has the higher dividend yield at 0.59%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.
IBIT is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while SHLD is Aerospace & Defense. IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant, while SHLD tracks Global X Defense Tech Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IBIT and 0.50% for SHLD.
SHLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.16 vs -0.90), 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.
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