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IDEFvsEXIETF Comparison

ETF 1
IDEF

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF

This fund is part of
US Large Cap
-0.07%
Full IDEF fund page
VS
ETF 2
EXI

iShares Global Industrials ETF

This fund is part of
Global Large Cap
+0.14%
Full EXI fund page

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) belongs to the US Large Cap segment. iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) is part of the Global Large Cap segment. IDEF's top 3 sector exposures are Industrials, Information Technology and Materials. In contrast, EXI's top sector exposures are Industrials, Information Technology  IDEF is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.55%, versus 0.39% for EXI. IDEF is up 14.67% year-to-date (YTD) with +$69M in YTD flows. EXI performs worse with 8.29% YTD performance, and +$191M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of IDEF and EXI below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.

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IDEF vs EXI performance and flow charts

Performance

-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.0%Feb 11Feb 13Feb 18Feb 20Feb 25Feb 27Mar 3Mar 5Mar 9Mar 11

Cumulative Flows

0 M20 M40 M60 M80 MFeb 11Feb 13Feb 18Feb 20Feb 25Feb 27Mar 3Mar 5Mar 9Mar 11

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Daily, global ETF data for advanced analysis or integration into apps (API), from our partner Trackinsight.

Historic performance and flows
Data as of 03/11/2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y5Y
Perf.
IDEF
EXI
+2.70%-4.31%
+15.86%+7.29%
+14.67%+8.29%
n/a+31.57%
n/a+80.81%
n/a+80.16%
Flows
IDEF
EXI
+$55M+$88M
+$69M+$217M
+$69M+$191M
-+$69M
-+$476M
-+$372M
Volatility and drawdown
3M1Y3Y5Y
Volatility
IDEF
EXI
+22.74%+15.75%
n/a+18.09%
n/a+15.11%
n/a+16.42%
Max drawdown
IDEF
EXI
-7.18%-5.58%
n/a-14.06%
n/a-14.09%
n/a-27.04%
Max drawdown duration
IDEF
EXI
39d10d
n/a43d
n/a148d
n/a611d
Trading data

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IDEF
EXI
Last sale
3/12/2026 at 1:33 PM
$35.46
$189.56
Previous close
03/11/2026
$35.72
$190.38
Consolidated volume
03/11/2026
Average volume
30 days
Average discount or premium
30 days
Average Bid/Ask spread
30 days
Replication quality
Data as of February 27, 2026
1-year trailing difference

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IDEF
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an index

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IDEF
EXI
Tracking error
Tracking difference
1 year cumulative return difference
Best
Worst
Daily return difference
Average
Worst
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Main metrics
Last update 3/12/2026 at 1:33 PM
Live
Closed
IDEF
EXI
Last price
$35.46
$189.56
1D performance
-0.73%
-0.43%
AuM$117.27 M$1.22 B
E/R0.55%0.39%
Characteristics
IDEF
EXI
Management strategyActivePassive
ProvideriSharesiShares
Benchmark-S&P Global 1200 Industrials Index
N° of holdings98201
Asset class-Equities
Trailing 12m distribution yield
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Inception dateMay 19, 2025September 12, 2006
ESGNoNo
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Exposure

Countries

IDEF
USA
58.57%
United Kingdom
7.99%
Other
33.45%
EXI
USA
50.28%
Japan
13.88%
Other
35.84%

Sectors

IDEF
Industrials
78.29%
Other
21.71%
EXI
Industrials
92.84%
Other
7.16%
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Diversification

IDEF

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

48.99%
EXI

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

29.49%

Top 15 holdings

Data as of January 31, 2026
IDEF
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
7.18%
GENERAL DYNAMICS
5.26%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
4.63%
LOCKHEED MARTIN
4.44%
GENERAL ELECTRIC
3.64%
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES
3.52%
ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS
3.11%
RHEINMETALL
3.00%
MITSUBISHI HVY
2.39%
AIRBUS SE
2.20%
BAE SYSTEMS
2.12%
BOEING U
2.03%
HONEYWELL INTL
1.99%
SAFRAN
1.87%
CAMECO
1.60%
EXI
GENERAL ELECTRIC
3.31%
CATERPILLAR
3.26%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
2.81%
SIEMENS
2.36%
US36828A1016
2.04%
BOEING U
1.92%
UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC
1.78%
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SE
1.64%
HITACHI
1.60%
HONEYWELL INTL
1.51%
AIRBUS SE
1.50%
ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS
1.46%
UNION PACIFIC U
1.45%
EATON CORP PLC
1.45%
ABB
1.41%
Frequently asked questions about IDEF and EXI

How have the IDEF and EXI ETFs performed in 2026?

As of March 11, 2026, IDEF is up 14.67% year-to-date (YTD), while EXI has returned 8.29%. That puts IDEF better performer ahead so far this year.

Which ETF is attracting more investor money: IDEF or EXI?

Year-to-date, the IDEF ETF saw +$69M in flows, compared to +$191M for EXI.

Which ETF is bigger: IDEF or EXI?

As of March 11, 2026, IDEF holds $117.27 M in assets under management (AUM), while EXI manages $1.22 B.

What sectors do the IDEF and EXI ETFs invest in?

IDEF leans toward sectors like Industrials. Meanwhile, EXI focuses on Industrials.

What are the top holdings of the IDEF ETF and EXI ETF?

IDEF top holdings include RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD, GENERAL DYNAMICS and NORTHROP GRUMMAN. EXI holds in its top three: GENERAL ELECTRIC, CATERPILLAR and RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD.

Which ETF is more diversified: IDEF or EXI?

IDEF holds 113 securities with 48.99% of its assets in the top 15. EXI has 217 securities and a top 15 weight of 29.49%.

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