ITAvsXARETF Comparison
VS
ETF 2
XAR
SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) belongs to the US Large Cap segment. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) is part of the segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Industrials, Materials and Information Technology. ITA is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.38%, versus 0.35% for XAR. ITA is up 4.01% year-to-date (YTD) with +$335M in YTD flows. XAR performs better with 7.88% YTD performance, and +$894M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ITA and XAR 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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ITA vs XAR performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 04/07/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ITA XAR | -7.72%-7.83% | -1.38%-1.01% | +4.01%+7.88% | +65.18%+78.51% | +97.59%+126.37% | +121.31%+110.19% |
| Flows | ITA XAR | -$1.51B+$58M | +$254M+$836M | +$335M+$894M | +$4.05B+$1.61B | +$2.82B+$2.06B | +$5.28B+$2.35B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ITA XAR | +24.79%+32.28% | +21.46%+26.84% | +18.85%+22.15% | +19.80%+22.84% |
| Max drawdown | ITA XAR | -15.79%-17.03% | -15.79%-17.03% | -15.79%-19.74% | -18.75%-32.38% |
| Max drawdown duration | ITA XAR | 36d78d | 36d78d | 36d109d | 227d904d |
Trading data
ITA | XAR | |
Last sale 4/7/2026 at 1:30 PM | $223.30 | $260.06 |
| Previous close 04/07/2026 | $225.20 | $263.64 |
| Consolidated volume 04/07/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of March 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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ITA | XAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 4/7/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
ITA | XAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $223.30 | $260.06 |
| 1D performance | -0.84% | -1.36% |
| AuM | $13.61 B | $5.88 B |
| E/R | 0.38% | 0.35% |
Characteristics
ITA | XAR | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | iShares | SPDR |
| Benchmark | Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index | S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index |
| N° of holdings | 35 | 35 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | May 1, 2006 | September 28, 2011 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
ITA
USA
99.93%
Other
0.07%
XAR
USA
99.92%
Other
0.08%
Sectors
ITA
Industrials
91.74%
Other
8.26%
XAR
Industrials
77.67%
Materials
8.19%
Other
14.14%
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Diversification
ITA
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
85.42%
XAR
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
55.32%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of February 28, 2026
ITA
GENERAL ELECTRIC
21.00%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
15.48%
BOEING U
7.65%
LOCKHEED MARTIN
5.18%
HOWMET AEROSPACE INC
5.11%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
4.84%
L3 HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
4.68%
GENERAL DYNAMICS
3.87%
TRANSDIGM GROUP
3.81%
AXON ENTERPRISE INC
3.55%
US7731211089
2.79%
CURTISS WRIGHT
2.12%
WOODWARD
1.90%
ATI INC
1.82%
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY
1.62%
XAR
ATI INC
4.46%
LOCKHEED MARTIN
4.00%
HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES
3.93%
HOWMET AEROSPACE INC
3.90%
WOODWARD
3.81%
US4859241048
3.74%
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY
3.73%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
3.73%
L3 HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
3.64%
CURTISS WRIGHT
3.60%
GENERAL ELECTRIC
3.45%
US7731211089
3.43%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
3.31%
TEXTRON
3.31%
BWX TECHNOLOGIES INC
3.28%
Frequently asked questions about ITA and XAR
How have the ITA and XAR ETFs performed in 2026?
As of April 7, 2026, ITA is up 4.01% year-to-date (YTD), while XAR has returned 7.88%. That puts XAR better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ITA or XAR?
Year-to-date, the ITA ETF saw +$335M in flows, compared to +$894M for XAR.
Which ETF is more volatile: ITA or XAR?
Over the past year, ITA had a volatility of 21.46%, while XAR experienced 26.84%.
Which ETF is bigger: ITA or XAR?
As of April 7, 2026, ITA holds $13.61 B in assets under management (AUM), while XAR manages $5.88 B.
What sectors do the ITA and XAR ETFs invest in?
ITA leans toward sectors like Industrials. Meanwhile, XAR focuses on Industrials and Materials.
What are the top holdings of the ITA ETF and XAR ETF?
ITA top holdings include GENERAL ELECTRIC, RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD and BOEING U. XAR holds in its top three: ATI INC, LOCKHEED MARTIN and HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES.
Which ETF is more diversified: ITA or XAR?
ITA holds 42 securities with 85.42% of its assets in the top 15. XAR has 40 securities and a top 15 weight of 55.32%.
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