IDEF vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - IDEF is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by iShares, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. IDEF is actively managed, while UGA is passively managed. Over the past year, IDEF returned 16.11% vs 59.74% for UGA. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. IDEF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

IDEF vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDEF achieves a 2.45% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

IDEF

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

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

IDEF vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	2.45%	21.50%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	1.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IDEF and UGA is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2025	-0.14

Return for Risk

IDEF vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	IDEF	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.73	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.25	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.30	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	3.17	-2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.57	9.39	-6.82

IDEF vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDEF and UGA, 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

IDEF vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.78%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEF and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDEF	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.78%	-86.59%	+71.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.78%	-18.96%	+4.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.23%	-18.05%	+3.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.30%	-36.69%	+32.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.28%	6.43%	-0.15%

Volatility

IDEF vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) have volatilities of 8.84% and 9.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDEF	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.84%	9.24%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.93%	30.57%	-11.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.10%	35.22%	-13.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.57%	34.45%	-12.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.57%	37.22%	-15.65%

IDEF vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDEF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDEF vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

IDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	0.34%	0.17%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDEF and UGA in my portfolio?

IDEF and UGA have a correlation of -0.15, 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 UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to IDEF (8.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDEF dropped -14.78% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, IDEF or UGA?

On 1-year performance, UGA leads with 59.74% vs 16.11% for IDEF. On fees, IDEF is cheaper at 0.55% 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, IDEF or UGA?

Over the 1-year period, UGA has performed better with a 59.74% return vs 16.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDEF or UGA?

IDEF is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.

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

IDEF has the higher dividend yield at 0.34%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

What is the main difference between IDEF and UGA?

IDEF is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while UGA is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IDEF and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 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.