PPA vs. XDEF

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XDEF (Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - PPA tracks the SPADE Defense Index while XDEF tracks the STOXX Europe Total Market Defence, Space and Cybersecurity Innovation 50-25 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PPA charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XDEF.

Performance

PPA vs. XDEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

PPA

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -1.32%
• 6M: -1.96%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 1Y: 18.74%
• 3Y*: 27.42%
• 5Y*: 19.09%
• 10Y*: 17.18%

XDEF

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -3.18%
• 6M: -99.27%
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PPA vs. XDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	9.74%
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF	-99.18%

Correlation

The correlation between PPA and XDEF is 0.68, 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 2, 2026	0.68

Return for Risk

PPA vs. XDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 32
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 29
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

XDEF

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

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. XDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PPA	XDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.67	—	—

Drawdowns

PPA vs. XDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPA drawdown since its inception was -57.37%, smaller than the maximum XDEF drawdown of -99.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPA and XDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPA	XDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.37%	-99.30%	+41.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	—	—
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	-7.39%	-99.27%	+91.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-75.81%	+66.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PPA	XDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.51%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.44%	140.58%	-120.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.75%	140.58%	-121.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.74%	140.58%	-119.84%

PPA vs. XDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PPA vs. XDEF - Dividend Comparison

PPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than XDEF's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.37%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF	1.54%	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 PPA and XDEF in my portfolio?

PPA and XDEF have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PPA or XDEF?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPA or XDEF?

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

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

XDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.54%, compared with 0.37% for PPA.

What is the main difference between PPA and XDEF?

PPA tracks SPADE Defense Index, while XDEF tracks STOXX Europe Total Market Defence, Space and Cybersecurity Innovation 50-25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for PPA and 0.35% for XDEF.