IDEF vs. FOWF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) and FOWF (Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDEF is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by iShares, while FOWF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare Index. IDEF is actively managed, while FOWF is passively managed. Over the past year, IDEF returned 21.86% vs 22.10% for FOWF. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDEF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FOWF.

Performance

IDEF vs. FOWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDEF achieves a 4.74% return, which is significantly lower than FOWF's 9.44% return.

IDEF

• 1D: -2.54%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.74%
• 6M: 9.45%
• 1Y: 21.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FOWF

• 1D: -1.88%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 6M: 12.30%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IDEF vs. FOWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	4.74%	23.05%
FOWF Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF	9.44%	13.81%

Correlation

The correlation between IDEF and FOWF is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2025	0.85

The correlation between IDEF and FOWF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IDEF vs. FOWF — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDEF

IDEF Risk / Return Rank: 28
IDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 26
IDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 27

FOWF

FOWF Risk / Return Rank: 46
FOWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
FOWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
FOWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
FOWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FOWF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

IDEF vs. FOWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF). 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.

	IDEF	FOWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.59	-0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	2.39	-0.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.28	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	2.20	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	7.02	-3.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDEF vs. FOWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the FOWF Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDEF and FOWF, 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

	IDEF	FOWF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.59	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	1.63	-0.30

Drawdowns

IDEF vs. FOWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.63%, which is greater than FOWF's maximum drawdown of -12.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEF and FOWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDEF	FOWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.63%	-12.29%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.63%	-10.08%	-4.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.31%	-2.81%	-9.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.90%	-2.05%	-1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.61%	3.16%	+2.45%

Volatility

IDEF vs. FOWF - Volatility Comparison

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) has a higher volatility of 7.87% compared to Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF (FOWF) at 4.80%. This indicates that IDEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FOWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDEF	FOWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.87%	4.80%	+3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.98%	11.62%	+6.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.15%	13.94%	+7.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.07%	16.89%	+4.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	16.89%	+4.18%

IDEF vs. FOWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDEF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than FOWF's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDEF vs. FOWF - Dividend Comparison

IDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than FOWF's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
FOWF Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF	0.73%	0.79%
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	0.16%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDEF and FOWF in my portfolio?

IDEF and FOWF have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDEF or FOWF?

IDEF has higher volatility (7.87%) compared to FOWF (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDEF dropped -14.63% vs FOWF's -12.29%.

Which ETF is better, IDEF or FOWF?

On 1-year performance, FOWF leads with 22.10% vs 21.86% for IDEF. On fees, FOWF is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, FOWF has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDEF or FOWF?

Over the 1-year period, FOWF has performed better with a 22.10% return vs 21.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDEF or FOWF?

FOWF is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IDEF.

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

FOWF has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.16% for IDEF.

What is the main difference between IDEF and FOWF?

IDEF is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while FOWF is Industrials Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IDEF and 0.49% for FOWF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FOWF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.04), 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.