WAR vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WAR (U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by US Global, while XAR is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry. WAR is actively managed, while XAR is passively managed. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WAR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

WAR vs. XAR - 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 SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

WAR

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

WAR vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	2.67%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	-1.12%

Correlation

The correlation between WAR and XAR is 0.54, 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 May 27, 2026	0.54

WAR vs. XAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WAR	XAR
Technology	63.8%	0.5%
Industrials	31.1%	99.4%
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

WAR vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

WAR vs. XAR - 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 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WAR	XAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	5.18	0.85	+4.34

Drawdowns

WAR vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAR drawdown since its inception was -1.92%, smaller than the maximum XAR drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAR and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAR	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.92%	-46.37%	+44.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-17.22%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.73%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-6.55%	+4.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.88%	-6.79%	+5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.05%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WAR	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.52%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	22.39%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.90%	26.81%	+16.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.90%	23.41%	+19.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	42.90%	24.62%	+18.28%

WAR vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

WAR vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

WAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 WAR and XAR in my portfolio?

WAR and XAR have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WAR or XAR?

On fees, XAR 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, WAR or XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for WAR.

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

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for WAR.

What is the main difference between WAR and XAR?

WAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while XAR is Industrials Equities. They also come from different issuers: US Global and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for WAR and 0.35% for XAR.