PPA vs. NATO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) and NATO (Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - PPA tracks the SPADE Defense Index while NATO tracks the Solactive Transatlantic Aerospace and Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PPA returned 26.57% vs 13.50% for NATO. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PPA charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for NATO.

Performance

PPA vs. NATO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) and Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPA achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than NATO's 1.39% return.

PPA

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 13.46%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 28.92%
• 5Y*: 17.82%
• 10Y*: 17.38%

NATO

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 7.82%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PPA vs. NATO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	8.54%	37.15%	-2.21%
NATO Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF	1.39%	50.95%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between PPA and NATO is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2024	0.84

The correlation between PPA and NATO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PPA vs. NATO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 37
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

NATO

NATO Risk / Return Rank: 19
NATO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
NATO Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
NATO Omega Ratio Rank: 19
NATO Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NATO Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

PPA vs. NATO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) and Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO). 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.

	PPA	NATO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	0.65	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	1.07	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.13	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	0.85	+1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.68	2.19	+3.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PPA vs. NATO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPA Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is higher than the NATO Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPA and NATO, 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

	PPA	NATO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	0.65	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.34	-0.68

Drawdowns

PPA vs. NATO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPA drawdown since its inception was -57.37%, which is greater than NATO's maximum drawdown of -15.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPA and NATO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPA	NATO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.37%	-15.99%	-41.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-15.99%	+2.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.40%	-12.30%	+3.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-3.71%	-5.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.69%	6.17%	-1.48%

Volatility

PPA vs. NATO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) is 6.73%, while Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO) has a volatility of 7.97%. This indicates that PPA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NATO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPA	NATO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.73%	7.97%	-1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.95%	17.65%	-1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	20.71%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.49%	22.61%	-4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.64%	22.61%	-1.97%

PPA vs. NATO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPA has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than NATO's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPA vs. NATO - Dividend Comparison

PPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than NATO's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NATO Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.39%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPA and NATO in my portfolio?

PPA and NATO have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PPA or NATO?

NATO has higher volatility (7.97%) compared to PPA (6.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPA dropped -57.37% vs NATO's -15.99%.

Which ETF is better, PPA or NATO?

On 1-year performance, PPA leads with 26.57% vs 13.50% for NATO. On fees, NATO is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, PPA has been the lower-risk option at 6.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPA or NATO?

Over the 1-year period, PPA has performed better with a 26.57% return vs 13.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPA or NATO?

NATO is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for PPA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PPA or NATO?

NATO has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.39% for PPA.

What is the main difference between PPA and NATO?

PPA tracks SPADE Defense Index, while NATO tracks Solactive Transatlantic Aerospace and Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Themes. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for PPA and 0.35% for NATO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.65), 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.