ITA vs. ROKT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) and ROKT (SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while ROKT is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ITA returned 15.93%/yr vs 24.68%/yr for ROKT. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ITA charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ROKT.

Performance

ITA vs. ROKT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ITA achieves a 4.82% return, which is significantly lower than ROKT's 46.55% return.

ITA

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 26.06%
• 3Y*: 26.89%
• 5Y*: 15.93%
• 10Y*: 14.82%

ROKT

• 1D: -3.71%
• 1M: 12.62%
• YTD: 46.55%
• 6M: 60.20%
• 1Y: 111.37%
• 3Y*: 44.75%
• 5Y*: 24.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

ITA vs. ROKT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	4.82%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-13.60%
ROKT SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF	46.55%	50.56%	27.89%	14.41%	-0.81%	4.63%	7.99%	40.90%	-13.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ITA and ROKT is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2018	0.85

The correlation between ITA and ROKT shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ITA vs. ROKT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITA	ROKT
Industrials	99.8%	67.6%
Technology	0.1%	20.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	5.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	6.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ITA vs. ROKT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 32
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

ROKT

ROKT Risk / Return Rank: 93
ROKT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ROKT Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
ROKT Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ROKT Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
ROKT Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

ITA vs. ROKT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT). 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.

	ITA	ROKT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	3.88	-2.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	4.47	-2.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.57	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	9.82	-8.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.49	35.81	-31.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITA vs. ROKT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITA Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the ROKT Sharpe Ratio of 3.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITA and ROKT, 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

	ITA	ROKT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	3.88	-2.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	1.09	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.86	-0.36

Drawdowns

ITA vs. ROKT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITA drawdown since its inception was -59.72%, which is greater than ROKT's maximum drawdown of -43.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITA and ROKT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITA	ROKT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.72%	-43.16%	-16.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.82%	-11.40%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.82%	-23.46%	+7.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	-23.46%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.19%	-8.82%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.46%	-6.75%	-2.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.82%	3.12%	+2.70%

Volatility

ITA vs. ROKT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) is 7.28%, while SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT) has a volatility of 13.10%. This indicates that ITA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ROKT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITA	ROKT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.28%	13.10%	-5.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	24.98%	-7.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.86%	28.89%	-8.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.02%	22.78%	-2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.14%	25.14%	-2.00%

ITA vs. ROKT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITA has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than ROKT's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITA vs. ROKT - Dividend Comparison

ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, more than ROKT's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.48%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
ROKT SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF	0.27%	0.41%	0.57%	0.62%	0.54%	1.79%	0.48%	0.74%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITA and ROKT in my portfolio?

ITA and ROKT have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITA or ROKT?

ROKT has higher volatility (13.10%) compared to ITA (7.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITA dropped -59.72% vs ROKT's -43.16%.

Which ETF is better, ITA or ROKT?

On 5-year performance, ROKT leads with 24.68% vs 15.93% for ITA. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, ITA has been the lower-risk option at 7.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITA or ROKT?

Over the 5-year period, ROKT has performed better with a 24.68% return vs 15.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITA or ROKT?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for ROKT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ITA or ROKT?

ITA has the higher dividend yield at 0.48%, compared with 0.27% for ROKT.

What is the main difference between ITA and ROKT?

ITA is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while ROKT is Industrials Equities. ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while ROKT tracks S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for ITA and 0.45% for ROKT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROKT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.88 vs 1.26), 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.