IDEF vs. WDGF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) and WDGF (WisdomTree Global Defense Fund) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. IDEF is actively managed, while WDGF is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDEF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for WDGF.

Performance

IDEF vs. WDGF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF). 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 higher than WDGF's 3.03% return.

IDEF

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

WDGF

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: 3.03%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IDEF vs. WDGF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	4.74%	2.12%
WDGF WisdomTree Global Defense Fund	3.03%	-0.25%

Correlation

The correlation between IDEF and WDGF is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2025	0.94

Return for Risk

IDEF vs. WDGF — 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

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. WDGF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF). 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	WDGF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IDEF	WDGF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	0.17	+1.16

Drawdowns

IDEF vs. WDGF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.63%, roughly equal to the maximum WDGF drawdown of -14.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEF and WDGF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDEF	WDGF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.63%	-14.36%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.31%	-12.77%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.90%	-5.46%	+1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.61%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IDEF	WDGF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.87%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.98%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.15%	22.41%	-1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.07%	22.41%	-1.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	22.41%	-1.34%

IDEF vs. WDGF - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDEF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than WDGF's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDEF vs. WDGF - Dividend Comparison

IDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, more than WDGF's 0.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	0.16%	0.17%
WDGF WisdomTree Global Defense Fund	0.05%	0.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDEF and WDGF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, IDEF and WDGF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, IDEF or WDGF?

On fees, WDGF is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDEF or WDGF?

WDGF is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IDEF.

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

IDEF has the higher dividend yield at 0.16%, compared with 0.05% for WDGF.

What is the main difference between IDEF and WDGF?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IDEF and 0.45% for WDGF.