SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF (XAD.TO).

SHLD.TO and XAD.TO are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SHLD.TO is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Global X Defense Tech Index. It was launched on Apr 21, 2025. XAD.TO is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. It was launched on Sep 6, 2023. Both SHLD.TO and XAD.TO are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF (XAD.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SHLD.TO Global X Defence Tech Index ETF	11.06%	28.13%
XAD.TO iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF	3.22%	37.59%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHLD.TO achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly higher than XAD.TO's 3.22% return.

SHLD.TO

• 1D: 3.91%
• 1M: -3.17%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XAD.TO

• 1D: 3.75%
• 1M: -8.51%
• YTD: 3.22%
• 6M: 4.33%
• 1Y: 38.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHLD.TO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XAD.TO's 0.44% expense ratio.

SHLD.TO

Global X Defence Tech Index ETF

XAD.TO

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF

Return for Risk

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAD.TO

XAD.TO Risk / Return Rank: 81
XAD.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XAD.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XAD.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 80
XAD.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
XAD.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Defence Tech Index ETF (SHLD.TO) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF (XAD.TO). 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

	SHLD.TO	XAD.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.92	1.95	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between SHLD.TO and XAD.TO is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Dividend Comparison

SHLD.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than XAD.TO's 0.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
SHLD.TO Global X Defence Tech Index ETF	0.16%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%
XAD.TO iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF	0.34%	0.35%	0.44%	0.24%

Drawdowns

SHLD.TO vs. XAD.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHLD.TO drawdown since its inception was -14.91%, smaller than the maximum XAD.TO drawdown of -16.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHLD.TO and XAD.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHLD.TO	XAD.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.91%	-16.06%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.30%	-11.14%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.47%	-2.49%	-1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.58%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SHLD.TO	XAD.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.49%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	15.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.64%	24.15%	+0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.64%	20.91%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.64%	20.91%	+3.73%