WAR vs. WDGF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF).

WAR and WDGF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. WAR is an actively managed fund by US Global. It was launched on Dec 30, 2024. WDGF is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Global Defense Index. It was launched on Sep 10, 2025.

Performance

WAR vs. WDGF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WAR vs. WDGF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	3.55%	5.04%
WDGF WisdomTree Global Defense Fund	7.15%	-0.25%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAR achieves a 3.55% return, which is significantly lower than WDGF's 7.15% return.

WAR

• 1D: 6.32%
• 1M: -4.44%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 3.05%
• 1Y: 38.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

WDGF

• 1D: 3.33%
• 1M: -6.23%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WAR vs. WDGF - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than WDGF's 0.45% expense ratio.

WAR

U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF

WDGF

WisdomTree Global Defense Fund

Return for Risk

WAR vs. WDGF — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAR

WAR Risk / Return Rank: 77
WAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
WAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
WAR Omega Ratio Rank: 69
WAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
WAR Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

WAR vs. WDGF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF). 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.

	WAR	WDGF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WAR	WDGF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.61	+0.44

Correlation

The correlation between WAR and WDGF is 0.66, 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

WAR vs. WDGF - Dividend Comparison

WAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.35%, more than WDGF's 0.05% yield.

	TTM	2025
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	12.35%	12.79%
WDGF WisdomTree Global Defense Fund	0.05%	0.05%

Drawdowns

WAR vs. WDGF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAR drawdown since its inception was -19.13%, which is greater than WDGF's maximum drawdown of -13.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAR and WDGF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAR	WDGF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.13%	-13.29%	-5.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.63%	-9.28%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-4.46%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WAR	WDGF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.70%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.73%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.27%	21.55%	+5.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.51%	21.55%	+4.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.51%	21.55%	+4.96%