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MISLvsGCADETF Comparison

ETF 1
MISL

First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF

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

Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF

Full GCAD fund page

First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) belongs to the US Large Cap segment. Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF (GCAD) is part of the segment. MISL's top 3 sector exposures are Industrials, Communication Services and Information Technology. In contrast, GCAD's top sector exposures are Industrials, Materials  MISL is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.6%, versus 0.9% for GCAD. MISL is up 13.74% year-to-date (YTD) with +$75M in YTD flows. GCAD performs better with 15.77% YTD performance, and +$10M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of MISL and GCAD 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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MISL vs GCAD performance and flow charts

Performance

-2.00.02.04.06.0%Feb 10Feb 18Feb 25Mar 4

Cumulative Flows

0 M20 M40 M60 M80 MFeb 10Feb 18Feb 25Mar 4

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Historic performance and flows
Data as of 03/10/2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y5Y
Perf.
MISL
GCAD
+0.19%+1.18%
+17.53%+18.70%
+13.74%+15.77%
+64.00%+63.45%
+124.44%+127.36%
n/an/a
Flows
MISL
GCAD
+$78M+$2M
+$1.12B+$10M
+$75M+$10M
+$1.17B+$14M
+$1.26B+$17M
--
Volatility and drawdown
3M1Y3Y5Y
Volatility
MISL
GCAD
+26.68%+20.39%
+22.80%+20.46%
+18.37%+17.71%
n/an/a
Max drawdown
MISL
GCAD
-7.46%-4.59%
-11.76%-13.68%
-17.72%-16.22%
n/an/a
Max drawdown duration
MISL
GCAD
50d8d
30d37d
184d91d
n/an/a
Trading data

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MISL
GCAD
Last sale
3/11/2026 at 1:30 PM
$48.46
$53.38
Previous close
03/11/2026
$48.61
$53.83
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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GCAD
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an index

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MISL
GCAD
Tracking error
Tracking difference
1 year cumulative return difference
Best
Worst
Daily return difference
Average
Worst
Main metrics
Last update 3/11/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
MISL
GCAD
Last price
$48.46
$53.38
1D performance
-0.31%
-0.84%
AuM$1.55 B$27.37 M
E/R0.6%0.9%
Characteristics
MISL
GCAD
Management strategyPassiveActive
ProviderFirst TrustGabelli Funds
BenchmarkIndxx US Aerospace and Defense Index-
N° of holdings3137
Asset classEquities-
Trailing 12m distribution yield
Join
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Inception dateOctober 26, 2022January 3, 2023
ESGNoNo
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Exposure

Countries

MISL
USA
96.26%
Other
3.74%
GCAD
USA
87.67%
Other
12.33%

Sectors

MISL
Industrials
83.7%
Other
16.3%
GCAD
Industrials
85.68%
Other
14.32%

Diversification

MISL

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

78%
GCAD

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

62.4%

Top 15 holdings

Data as of January 31, 2026
MISL
LOCKHEED MARTIN
9.17%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
8.37%
BOEING U
7.83%
GENERAL DYNAMICS
7.79%
GENERAL ELECTRIC
7.49%
AST SPACEMOBILE
4.47%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
4.39%
TRANSDIGM GROUP
4.03%
L3 HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
4.01%
HOWMET AEROSPACE INC
3.74%
US7731211089
3.71%
HEICO
3.68%
KYG3730V1059
3.41%
LEIDOS HOLDINGS INC
2.98%
CURTISS WRIGHT
2.93%
GCAD
BOEING U
6.66%
LOCKHEED MARTIN
5.86%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
5.63%
MOOG
5.30%
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL
4.99%
HEXCEL
4.49%
TEXTRON
4.41%
HONEYWELL INTL
4.06%
MERCURY SYSTEMS INC
3.57%
DUCOMMUN
3.43%
L3 HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
3.42%
GENERAL DYNAMICS
2.80%
US912797RT68
2.66%
TRANSDIGM GROUP
2.58%
ASTRONICS
2.53%
Frequently asked questions about MISL and GCAD

How have the MISL and GCAD ETFs performed in 2026?

As of March 10, 2026, MISL is up 13.74% year-to-date (YTD), while GCAD has returned 15.77%. That puts GCAD better performer ahead so far this year.

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

Year-to-date, the MISL ETF saw +$75M in flows, compared to +$10M for GCAD.

Which ETF is more volatile: MISL or GCAD?

Over the past year, MISL had a volatility of 22.8%, while GCAD experienced 20.46%.

Which ETF is bigger: MISL or GCAD?

As of March 10, 2026, MISL holds $1.55 B in assets under management (AUM), while GCAD manages $27.37 M.

What sectors do the MISL and GCAD ETFs invest in?

MISL leans toward sectors like Industrials. Meanwhile, GCAD focuses on Industrials.

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

MISL top holdings include LOCKHEED MARTIN, RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD and BOEING U. GCAD holds in its top three: BOEING U, LOCKHEED MARTIN and NORTHROP GRUMMAN.

Which ETF is more diversified: MISL or GCAD?

MISL holds 37 securities with 78% of its assets in the top 15. GCAD has 39 securities and a top 15 weight of 62.4%.

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