XAR vs. WDAF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and WDAF (WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - XAR tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index while WDAF tracks the WisdomTree Asia Defense Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XAR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for WDAF.

Performance

XAR vs. WDAF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF). 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 WDAF's 11.85% 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%

WDAF

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: -13.31%
• YTD: 11.85%
• 6M: 16.15%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XAR vs. WDAF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	9.30%
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	11.85%	-7.62%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and WDAF is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2025	0.46

Return for Risk

XAR vs. WDAF — 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.

XAR vs. WDAF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF). 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	WDAF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.85	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XAR	WDAF	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	0.85	0.15	+0.70

Drawdowns

XAR vs. WDAF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, which is greater than WDAF's maximum drawdown of -18.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and WDAF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	WDAF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-18.21%	-28.16%
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	-6.55%	-16.06%	+9.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-6.09%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.05%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XAR	WDAF	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	26.81%	32.10%	-5.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.41%	32.10%	-8.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.62%	32.10%	-7.48%

XAR vs. WDAF - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than WDAF's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAR vs. WDAF - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, more than WDAF's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WDAF WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund	0.12%	0.13%	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 XAR and WDAF in my portfolio?

XAR and WDAF have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XAR or WDAF?

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, XAR or WDAF?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for WDAF.

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

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.12% for WDAF.

What is the main difference between XAR and WDAF?

XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while WDAF tracks WisdomTree Asia Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAR and 0.45% for WDAF.