IDEF vs. WDGF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF).

IDEF and WDGF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IDEF is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on May 19, 2025. WDGF is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Global Defense Index. It was launched on Sep 10, 2025.

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.

IDEF vs. WDGF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF	6.20%	2.12%
WDGF WisdomTree Global Defense Fund	7.15%	-0.25%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDEF achieves a 6.20% return, which is significantly lower than WDGF's 7.15% return.

IDEF

• 1D: 4.15%
• 1M: -8.78%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 3.09%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WDGF

• 1D: 3.33%
• 1M: -6.23%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IDEF vs. WDGF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

IDEF

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF

WDGF

WisdomTree Global Defense Fund

Return for Risk

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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IDEF	WDGF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.85	0.61	+1.24

Correlation

The correlation between IDEF and WDGF is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

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.

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

Drawdowns

IDEF vs. WDGF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.63%, which is greater than WDGF's maximum drawdown of -13.29%. 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%	-13.29%	-1.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.08%	-9.28%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-4.46%	+1.58%

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IDEF	WDGF	Difference
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.00%	21.55%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.00%	21.55%	-1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.00%	21.55%	-1.55%