RBLD vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RBLD (First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P 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 XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RBLD returned 8.40%/yr vs 18.01%/yr for XAR. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

RBLD vs. XAR - 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 SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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 XAR's 13.40% return. Over the past 10 years, RBLD has underperformed XAR with an annualized return of 8.40%, while XAR has yielded a comparatively higher 18.01% 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%

XAR

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 7.34%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 20.10%
• 1Y: 41.33%
• 3Y*: 34.11%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 18.01%

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

RBLD vs. XAR - 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%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%

Correlation

The correlation between RBLD and XAR is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2011	0.60

The correlation between RBLD and XAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBLD vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBLD	XAR
Industrials	41.6%	99.4%
Utilities	28.6%	-
Energy	9.3%	-
Technology	9.2%	0.5%
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Real Estate	5.0%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

RBLD vs. XAR — 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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. XAR - 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 SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). 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	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.55	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.21	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.26	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	2.41	+1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.80	6.85	+6.95
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. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBLD and XAR, 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	XAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.55	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.70	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.73	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.85	-0.46

Drawdowns

RBLD vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBLD drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, which is greater than XAR's maximum drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBLD and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBLD	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-46.37%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.19%	-17.22%	+10.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-19.73%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.71%	-32.40%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.07%	-46.37%	-3.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-6.55%	+5.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.84%	-6.79%	-4.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	6.05%	-3.97%

Volatility

RBLD vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Alerian U.S. NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is 4.27%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 9.52%. This indicates that RBLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBLD	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	9.52%	-5.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.39%	22.39%	-12.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	26.81%	-13.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	23.41%	-6.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	24.62%	-5.89%

RBLD vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBLD vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

RBLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than XAR's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBLD and XAR in my portfolio?

RBLD and XAR have a correlation of 0.62, 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 XAR?

XAR has higher volatility (9.52%) compared to RBLD (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBLD dropped -50.07% vs XAR's -46.37%.

Which ETF is better, RBLD or XAR?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 18.01% vs 8.40% for RBLD. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% 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 XAR?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 18.01% 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 XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for RBLD.

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

RBLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.32% for XAR.

What is the main difference between RBLD and XAR?

RBLD is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XAR is Aerospace & Defense. RBLD tracks Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for RBLD and 0.35% for XAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.55), 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.