JEDI vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JEDI (Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - JEDI tracks the BITA Drone & Modern Warfare Select Index while ITA tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JEDI charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

JEDI vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF (JEDI) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JEDI achieves a 59.78% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 7.93% return.

JEDI

• 1D: 4.90%
• 1M: 42.42%
• YTD: 59.78%
• 6M: 64.33%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ITA

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: 7.52%
• YTD: 7.93%
• 6M: 13.22%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 28.46%
• 5Y*: 16.61%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

JEDI vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
JEDI Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF	59.78%	-3.73%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	7.93%	4.37%

Correlation

The correlation between JEDI and ITA is 0.67, 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 Sep 29, 2025	0.67

Return for Risk

JEDI vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 38
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

JEDI vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF (JEDI) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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

	JEDI	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.85	0.51	+1.33

Drawdowns

JEDI vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEDI drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, smaller than the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEDI and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEDI	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-59.72%	+38.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.82%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.58%	-7.53%	-1.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.15%	-9.46%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.84%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	JEDI	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	17.68%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.80%	21.05%	+26.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.80%	20.06%	+27.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.80%	23.16%	+24.64%

JEDI vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEDI has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEDI vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

JEDI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.46%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
JEDI Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JEDI and ITA in my portfolio?

JEDI and ITA have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, JEDI or ITA?

On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEDI or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for JEDI.

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

ITA has the higher dividend yield at 0.46%, compared with 0.00% for JEDI.

What is the main difference between JEDI and ITA?

JEDI tracks BITA Drone & Modern Warfare Select Index, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for JEDI and 0.38% for ITA.