WISE vs. SHLD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD).

WISE and SHLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. WISE is a passively managed fund by Themes that tracks the performance of the Solactive Generative Artificial Intelligence Index - Benchmark TR Gross. It was launched on Dec 7, 2023. SHLD is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Global X Defense Tech Index - Benchmark TR Net. It was launched on Sep 11, 2023. Both WISE and SHLD 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

WISE vs. SHLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WISE vs. SHLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	-17.46%	5.88%	40.45%	7.55%
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	9.34%	74.16%	35.03%	2.90%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WISE achieves a -17.46% return, which is significantly lower than SHLD's 9.34% return.

WISE

• 1D: 6.58%
• 1M: -5.41%
• YTD: -17.46%
• 6M: -23.35%
• 1Y: 9.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SHLD

• 1D: 3.72%
• 1M: -5.37%
• YTD: 9.34%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 53.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WISE vs. SHLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

WISE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than SHLD's 0.50% expense ratio.

SHLD

Global X Defense Tech ETF

WISE

Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF

Return for Risk

WISE vs. SHLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

WISE

WISE Risk / Return Rank: 20
WISE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
WISE Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
WISE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
WISE Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
WISE Martin Ratio Rank: 17

SHLD

SHLD Risk / Return Rank: 92
SHLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SHLD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SHLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SHLD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

WISE vs. SHLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD). 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.

	WISE	SHLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.26	2.10	-1.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	2.75	-2.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.36	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	3.53	-3.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.71	10.28	-9.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WISE vs. SHLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WISE Sharpe Ratio is 0.26, which is lower than the SHLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WISE and SHLD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WISE	SHLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26	2.10	-1.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	2.53	-2.14

Correlation

The correlation between WISE and SHLD is 0.41, 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

WISE vs. SHLD - Dividend Comparison

WISE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than SHLD's 0.50% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
WISE Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF	5.00%	4.12%	0.00%	0.00%
SHLD Global X Defense Tech ETF	0.50%	0.55%	0.53%	0.26%

Drawdowns

WISE vs. SHLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WISE drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, which is greater than SHLD's maximum drawdown of -15.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WISE and SHLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	WISE	SHLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-15.06%	-24.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.08%	-15.06%	-19.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.74%	-9.20%	-20.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.56%	-2.57%	-8.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.31%	5.17%	+7.14%

Volatility

WISE vs. SHLD - Volatility Comparison

Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) has a higher volatility of 11.63% compared to Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) at 8.85%. This indicates that WISE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WISE	SHLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.63%	8.85%	+2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.30%	18.37%	+6.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.72%	25.40%	+10.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.41%	20.70%	+12.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.41%	20.70%	+12.71%