XAR vs. XDEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XDEF (Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - XAR tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index while XDEF tracks the STOXX Europe Total Market Defence, Space and Cybersecurity Innovation 50-25 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

XAR vs. XDEF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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%

XDEF

• 1D: -2.06%
• 1M: -2.01%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XAR vs. XDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	9.26%
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF	-99.17%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and XDEF is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2026	0.68

Return for Risk

XAR vs. XDEF — 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. XDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF). 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	XDEF	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	XDEF	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	-0.64	+1.48

Drawdowns

XAR vs. XDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, smaller than the maximum XDEF drawdown of -99.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and XDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	XDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-99.30%	+52.93%
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%	-99.26%	+92.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.79%	-70.45%	+63.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.05%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XAR	XDEF	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%	157.63%	-130.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.41%	157.63%	-134.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.62%	157.63%	-133.01%

XAR vs. XDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XAR and XDEF have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

XAR vs. XDEF - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, while XDEF has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XDEF Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAR and XDEF in my portfolio?

XAR and XDEF have a correlation of 0.68, 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 XDEF?

Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAR or XDEF?

XAR and XDEF have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

XAR has the higher dividend yield at 0.32%, compared with 0.00% for XDEF.

What is the main difference between XAR and XDEF?

XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while XDEF tracks STOXX Europe Total Market Defence, Space and Cybersecurity Innovation 50-25 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Xtrackers.