XAR vs. GD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while GD (General Dynamics Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 18.01%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for GD. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

XAR vs. GD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and General Dynamics Corporation (GD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XAR achieves a 13.40% return, which is significantly higher than GD's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, XAR has outperformed GD with an annualized return of 18.01%, while GD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.57% annualized return.

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%

GD

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -3.45%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 14.14%
• 10Y*: 11.57%

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

XAR vs. GD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
GD General Dynamics Corporation	0.99%	30.39%	3.52%	7.13%	21.69%	43.77%	-13.14%	14.80%	-21.34%	19.85%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and GD is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2011	0.66

The correlation between XAR and GD shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (3 years) to 0.67 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XAR vs. GD — 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

GD

GD Risk / Return Rank: 73
GD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GD Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
GD Omega Ratio Rank: 69
GD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
GD Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. GD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and General Dynamics Corporation (GD). 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.

	XAR	GD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.17	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.91	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.23	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	1.68	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	5.90	+0.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XAR vs. GD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the GD Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR and GD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XAR	GD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.17	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.70	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.51	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.57	+0.28

Drawdowns

XAR vs. GD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, smaller than the maximum GD drawdown of -75.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and GD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	GD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-75.67%	+29.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-14.53%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-22.55%	+2.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-22.55%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-51.63%	+5.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.55%	-7.83%	+1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-15.61%	+8.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.05%	4.13%	+1.92%

Volatility

XAR vs. GD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a higher volatility of 9.52% compared to General Dynamics Corporation (GD) at 5.09%. This indicates that XAR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XAR	GD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.52%	5.09%	+4.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.39%	17.03%	+5.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.81%	20.85%	+5.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.41%	20.38%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.62%	22.69%	+1.93%

Dividends

XAR vs. GD - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than GD's 1.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GD General Dynamics Corporation	1.81%	1.76%	2.12%	2.01%	2.00%	2.24%	2.90%	2.26%	2.31%	1.61%	1.72%	1.96%
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 XAR and GD in my portfolio?

XAR and GD have a correlation of 0.60, 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 GD?

XAR has higher volatility (9.52%) compared to GD (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs GD's -75.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.17), 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.