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IDEFvsMISLETF Comparison

ETF 1
IDEF

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF

VS
ETF 2
MISL

First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF

iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) and First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) belong to the same industry segment: . IDEF's top 3 sector exposures are Industrials, Technology and Non-Energy Materials. In contrast, MISL's top sector exposures are Industrials, Business Services and Telecommunications. IDEF is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.55%, versus 0.6% for MISL. IDEF is up 2% year-to-date (YTD) with +$4.48B in YTD flows. MISL performs better with 3.35% YTD performance, and -$592M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of IDEF and MISL 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 MISL performance and flow charts

Performance

-5.00.05.0%Jun 29Jul 7Jul 14Jul 21Jul 28

Cumulative Flows

-20 M0 M20 M40 M60 M80 M100 MJun 29Jul 7Jul 14Jul 21Jul 28

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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 07/29/2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y5Y
Perf.
IDEF
MISL
+0.29%-1.86%
-3.38%+1.51%
+2.00%+3.35%
+9.53%+13.08%
n/a+91.14%
n/an/a
Flows
IDEF
MISL
+$99M-$27M
+$825M-$742M
+$4.48B-$592M
+$4.49B+$487M
-+$584M
--
Volatility and drawdown
3M1Y3Y5Y
Volatility
IDEF
MISL
+24.67%+28.63%
+21.85%+24.19%
n/a+20.18%
n/an/a
Max drawdown
IDEF
MISL
-9.59%-14.16%
-15.58%-16.91%
n/a-17.72%
n/an/a
Max drawdown duration
IDEF
MISL
59d61d
149d190d
n/a184d
n/an/a
Trading data

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IDEF
MISL
Last sale
7/30/2026 at 1:34 PM
$31.66
$42.18
Previous close
07/29/2026
$31.46
$44.19
Consolidated volume
07/29/2026
Average volume
30 days
Average discount or premium
30 days
Average Bid/Ask spread
30 days
Replication quality
Data as of June 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference

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IDEF
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an index

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IDEF
MISL
Tracking error
Tracking difference
1 year cumulative return difference
Best
Worst
Daily return difference
Average
Worst
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Main metrics
Last update 7/30/2026 at 1:34 PM
Live
Closed
IDEF
MISL
Last price
$31.66
$42.18
1D performance
+0.64%
-4.56%
AuM$4.12 B$748.76 M
E/R0.55%0.6%
Characteristics
IDEF
MISL
Management strategyActivePassive
ProvideriSharesFirst Trust
Benchmark-Indxx US Aerospace and Defense Index
N° of holdings11438
Asset class-Equities
Trailing 12m distribution yield
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Inception dateMay 19, 2025October 26, 2022
ESGNoNo
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Exposure

Countries

IDEF
USA
59.6%
United Kingdom
8.89%
Other
31.51%
MISL
USA
92.43%
Other
7.57%

Sectors

IDEF
Industrials
84.69%
Technology
8.38%
Other
6.93%
MISL
Industrials
80.23%
Business Services
8.28%
Other
11.49%
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Diversification

IDEF

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

54.39%
MISL

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

77.73%

Top 15 holdings

Data as of June 30, 2026
IDEF
RTX Corp.
8.38%
Lockheed Martin Corp.
6.87%
Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc
5.18%
The Boeing Co.
4.99%
General Dynamics Corp.
4.45%
Fortinet, Inc.
3.36%
Northrop Grumman Corp.
3.32%
BAE Systems Plc
2.73%
GE Aerospace
2.58%
Airbus SE
2.50%
Thales SA
2.33%
Howmet Aerospace, Inc.
2.20%
Elbit Systems Ltd.
2.00%
US84615Q1031
1.80%
BWX Technologies, Inc.
1.71%
MISL
GE Aerospace
8.93%
The Boeing Co.
7.38%
Palantir Technologies, Inc.
7.21%
US84615Q1031
7.19%
RTX Corp.
6.99%
Lockheed Martin Corp.
6.24%
Rocket Lab Corp.
5.40%
HEICO Corp.
4.45%
General Dynamics Corp.
3.98%
TransDigm Group, Inc.
3.98%
Howmet Aerospace, Inc.
3.89%
AST Spacemobile, Inc.
3.33%
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
3.03%
Curtiss-Wright Corp.
2.90%
Northrop Grumman Corp.
2.83%
Frequently asked questions about IDEF and MISL

How have the IDEF and MISL ETFs performed in 2026?

As of July 29, 2026, IDEF is up 2% year-to-date (YTD), while MISL has returned 3.35%. That puts MISL better performer ahead so far this year.

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

Year-to-date, the IDEF ETF saw +$4.48B in flows, compared to -$592M for MISL.

Which ETF is more volatile: IDEF or MISL?

Over the past year, IDEF had a volatility of 21.85%, while MISL experienced 24.19%.

Which ETF is bigger: IDEF or MISL?

As of July 29, 2026, IDEF holds $4.12 B in assets under management (AUM), while MISL manages $748.76 M.

What sectors do the IDEF and MISL ETFs invest in?

IDEF leans toward sectors like Industrials and Technology. Meanwhile, MISL focuses on Industrials and Business Services.

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

IDEF top holdings include RTX Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc. MISL holds in its top three: GE Aerospace, The Boeing Co. and Palantir Technologies, Inc..

Which ETF is more diversified: IDEF or MISL?

IDEF holds 117 securities with 54.39% of its assets in the top 15. MISL has 38 securities and a top 15 weight of 77.73%.

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