WDAF vs. KDEF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) and PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF).

WDAF and KDEF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. WDAF is a passively managed fund by WisdomTree that tracks the performance of the WisdomTree Asia Defense Index. It was launched on Sep 10, 2025. KDEF is a passively managed fund by PLUS that tracks the performance of the The Korea Defence Industry Index. It was launched on Feb 5, 2025. Both WDAF and KDEF 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

WDAF vs. KDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) and PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WDAF vs. KDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	11.28%	-7.62%
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	20.17%	-5.14%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WDAF achieves a 11.28% return, which is significantly lower than KDEF's 20.17% return.

WDAF

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: -8.09%
• YTD: 11.28%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

KDEF

• 1D: 2.65%
• 1M: -13.39%
• YTD: 20.17%
• 6M: 11.40%
• 1Y: 121.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WDAF vs. KDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

WDAF has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than KDEF's 0.65% expense ratio.

KDEF

PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF

WDAF

WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund

Return for Risk

WDAF vs. KDEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

KDEF

KDEF Risk / Return Rank: 95
KDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
KDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
KDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
KDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
KDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

WDAF vs. KDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) and PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF). 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

	WDAF	KDEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	2.91	-2.73

Correlation

The correlation between WDAF and KDEF is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

WDAF vs. KDEF - Dividend Comparison

WDAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than KDEF's 4.21% yield.

	TTM	2025
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	0.12%	0.13%
KDEF PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF	4.21%	5.06%

Drawdowns

WDAF vs. KDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WDAF drawdown since its inception was -18.21%, smaller than the maximum KDEF drawdown of -22.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WDAF and KDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WDAF	KDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.21%	-22.51%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-22.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.68%	-18.37%	+2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.94%	-5.83%	-0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	8.08%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WDAF	KDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	19.32%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	33.05%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.89%	43.92%	-14.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.89%	45.29%	-15.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.89%	45.29%	-15.40%