IDEF vs. XDEF
IDEF (iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF) and XDEF (Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds. IDEF is actively managed, while XDEF is passively managed. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDEF charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XDEF.
Performance
IDEF vs. XDEF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
IDEF
- 1D
- -2.54%
- 1M
- -2.65%
- YTD
- 4.74%
- 6M
- 9.45%
- 1Y
- 21.86%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XDEF
- 1D
- -2.06%
- 1M
- -2.01%
- YTD
- —
- 6M
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IDEF vs. XDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | 1.97% |
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | -99.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between IDEF and XDEF is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2026 | 0.75 |
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Return for Risk
IDEF vs. XDEF — Risk / Return Rank
IDEF
XDEF
IDEF vs. XDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF). 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 | XDEF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.50 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn 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. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IDEF | XDEF | 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 | -0.64 | +1.97 |
Drawdowns
IDEF vs. XDEF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IDEF drawdown since its inception was -14.63%, smaller than the maximum XDEF drawdown of -99.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDEF and XDEF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IDEF | XDEF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.63% | -99.30% | +84.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.63% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.31% | -99.26% | +86.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.90% | -70.45% | +66.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.61% | — | — |
Volatility
IDEF vs. XDEF - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| IDEF | XDEF | 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% | 157.63% | -136.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.07% | 157.63% | -136.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.07% | 157.63% | -136.56% |
IDEF vs. XDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison
IDEF has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than XDEF's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
IDEF vs. XDEF - Dividend Comparison
IDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, while XDEF has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
IDEF iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | 0.16% | 0.17% |
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IDEF and XDEF have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, XDEF is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
XDEF is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IDEF.
IDEF has the higher dividend yield at 0.16%, compared with 0.00% for XDEF.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IDEF and 0.35% for XDEF.
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