XAR vs. AIRR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 18.45%/yr vs 22.05%/yr for AIRR. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XAR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

XAR vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAR achieves a 16.10% return, which is significantly lower than AIRR's 31.74% return. Over the past 10 years, XAR has underperformed AIRR with an annualized return of 18.45%, while AIRR has yielded a comparatively higher 22.05% annualized return.

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

AIRR

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 31.74%
• 6M: 28.77%
• 1Y: 65.25%
• 3Y*: 35.29%
• 5Y*: 25.46%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

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

XAR vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.74%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and AIRR is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.75

The correlation between XAR and AIRR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

XAR vs. AIRR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAR	AIRR
Industrials	99.1%	84.6%
Technology	0.8%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.8%
Financial Services	-	9.6%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XAR vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 86
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

XAR vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	XAR	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.50	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	3.22	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.40	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	5.01	-2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	18.33	-11.52

XAR vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR and AIRR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XAR vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, which is greater than AIRR's maximum drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-42.37%	-4.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-13.09%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-27.95%	+8.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-27.95%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-42.37%	-4.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.32%	-1.89%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-7.48%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.13%	3.57%	+2.56%

Volatility

XAR vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a higher volatility of 11.46% compared to First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) at 9.32%. This indicates that XAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAR	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.46%	9.32%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.56%	20.81%	+2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.85%	26.19%	+1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.66%	25.45%	-1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.74%	26.36%	-1.62%

XAR vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAR vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, more than AIRR's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	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 XAR and AIRR in my portfolio?

XAR and AIRR have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAR or AIRR?

XAR has higher volatility (11.46%) compared to AIRR (9.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, XAR or AIRR?

On 10-year performance, AIRR leads with 22.05% vs 18.45% for XAR. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AIRR has been the lower-risk option at 9.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAR or AIRR?

Over the 10-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 22.05% return vs 18.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAR or AIRR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIRR.

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

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.13% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between XAR and AIRR?

XAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while AIRR is Building & Construction. XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAR and 0.69% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.50), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.