RBLD vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RBLD is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RBLD returned 8.40%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for ITA. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ITA.

Performance

RBLD vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) 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, RBLD achieves a 19.89% return, which is significantly higher than ITA's 4.82% return. Over the past 10 years, RBLD has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 8.40%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.82% annualized return.

RBLD

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 19.89%
• 6M: 18.51%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 10.76%
• 10Y*: 8.40%

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%

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

RBLD vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	19.89%	13.99%	17.94%	19.36%	-9.87%	12.98%	0.51%	12.81%	-21.72%	22.95%
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	4.82%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and ITA is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2008	0.64

The correlation between RBLD and ITA shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBLD vs. ITA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	ITA
Industrials	41.6%	99.8%
Utilities	28.6%	-
Energy	9.3%	-
Technology	9.2%	0.1%
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Real Estate	5.0%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBLD

RBLD Risk / Return Rank: 68
RBLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
RBLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
RBLD Omega Ratio Rank: 61
RBLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RBLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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

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.

RBLD vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) 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.

	RBLD	ITA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.26	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	1.84	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.22	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	1.65	+2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.80	4.49	+9.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RBLD vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and ITA, 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

	RBLD	ITA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.26	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.80	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.64	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.51	-0.12

Drawdowns

RBLD vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, smaller than the maximum ITA drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and ITA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	ITA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-59.72%	+9.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	-15.82%	+8.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-15.82%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.71%	-18.72%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	-51.00%	+0.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-10.19%	+9.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-9.46%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	5.82%	-3.74%

Volatility

RBLD vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is 4.27%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 7.28%. This indicates that RBLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	ITA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	7.28%	-3.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.39%	17.47%	-7.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	20.86%	-7.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	20.02%	-3.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	23.14%	-4.41%

RBLD vs. ITA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ITA's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than ITA's 0.48% 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%
RBLD First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF	1.01%	1.19%	1.31%	1.16%	2.10%	1.45%	2.88%	1.84%	1.74%	1.49%	2.01%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBLD and ITA in my portfolio?

RBLD and ITA have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBLD or ITA?

ITA has higher volatility (7.28%) compared to RBLD (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs ITA's -59.72%.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or ITA?

On 10-year performance, ITA leads with 14.82% vs 8.40% for RBLD. On fees, ITA is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, RBLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RBLD or ITA?

Over the 10-year period, ITA has performed better with a 14.82% return vs 8.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBLD or ITA?

ITA is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

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

RBLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.48% for ITA.

What is the main difference between RBLD and ITA?

RBLD is categorized as Industrials Equities, while ITA is Aerospace & Defense. RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.38% for ITA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 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.