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ETF Comparison

ITA vs XSPC: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF and VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

ITA has outpaced XSPC over the year to date, posting a 1.76% total return against -17.28%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTDSince Jun 2026
ITA1.76%-5.81%
XSPC-17.28%-17.28%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jun 2026” measures every fund from June 16, 2026 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricITAXSPC
Full nameiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETFVegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF
IssueriSharesVegaShares
Last Close$225.61 as of September 4, 2026$20.82 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate0.29%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 41—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.12%—
Expense ratio0.37%0.75%
AUM$13.4B$1.03M
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyNone
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index—
ObjectiveTracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index.Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/01/200606/15/2026
Beta0.99—
Last dividend$0.1636—
Ex-dividend date06/15/2026—

— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because XSPC launched June 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: XSPC launched June 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional. What is already clear from the numbers above: the two do not cost the same — ITA charges 0.37% against 0.75% for XSPC, and on funds tracking the same thing that gap compounds every year you hold.

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4668B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ITA.

See all iShares ETFs
VegaShares
ETFs5
Total AUM$58.3M

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

VegaShares specializes in options-based and thematic ETFs designed to generate income and capitalize on emerging trends. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused strategies, including covered call funds, alongside thematic offerings that target specific market segments and innovation themes. VegaShares serves investors seeking alternative approaches to traditional equity exposure, with a concentrated portfolio of strategically named funds addressing both income generation and sector-specific growth opportunities.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on XSPC.

See all VegaShares ETFs

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Quick verdict

ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ITA currently shows a 0.29% distribution yield. XSPC has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

ITA is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.37% compared to 0.75%.

ITA has $13.4B in assets vs $1.03M for XSPC, but XSPC only launched June 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, ITA would generate roughly $2.42/month, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

ITA yield0.29%
XSPC yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, ITA would cost approximately $370 in fees vs $750 for XSPC (simplified, not compounded). The $380.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

ITA ER0.37%
XSPC ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while XSPC is an ETF built around a thematic strategy.

ITA beta0.99
XSPC beta—

Fund details

ITA is managed by iShares (launched 05/01/2006) with $13.4B in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $1.03M in assets.

ITA AUM$13.4B
XSPC AUM$1.03M
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Frequently asked questions

Which of ITA or XSPC pays more dividend income?

ITA currently reports a distribution yield, while XSPC has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between ITA and XSPC?

ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) is an ETF built around a thematic strategy. They are issued by iShares and VegaShares respectively.

Can I hold both ITA and XSPC?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, ITA or XSPC?

ITA has an expense ratio of 0.37% while XSPC charges 0.75%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in ITA vs XSPC generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in ITA would generate roughly $2.42 per month ($29.00 annually). XSPC has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.

Which has performed better historically, ITA or XSPC?

ITA has outpaced XSPC over the year to date, posting a 1.76% total return against -17.28%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

ITA vs XSPC — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

ITA is a broad aerospace and defense index fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index with $13.4B in assets. XSPC is a thematic space-economy ETF launched in mid-2026 with $1.03M in assets, designed to capture exposure to commercial space ventures and related technologies. The key distinction is scope: ITA encompasses established defense contractors and aerospace primes, while XSPC focuses on early-stage and emerging space-industry participants.

How they differ

ITA is a passive index tracker of mature aerospace and defense firms, while XSPC pursues a thematic, likely more concentrated strategy around commercial space and SpaceX-adjacent businesses. ITA's 0.29% distribution yield reflects the low payout typical of large-cap industrials, whereas XSPC reports no distributions, suggesting it prioritizes total return over income. Cost-wise, ITA's 0.37% ratio is roughly half XSPC's 0.75%, and the asset-base gap—$13.4B versus $1.03M—reflects ITA's maturity and index-following simplicity against XSPC's nascent, niche positioning.

Who each is best for

  • ITA: Fits investors seeking stable exposure to large-cap aerospace and defense through a rules-based, low-turnover index vehicle with established liquidity and institutional credibility.
  • XSPC: Designed for growth-oriented investors with conviction in the commercial space sector's long-term potential and tolerance for concentrated, early-stage thematic exposure and the illiquidity that accompanies smaller fund size.

Key risks to know

  • Thematic concentration and fund immaturity (XSPC). At $1.03M, XSPC faces significant liquidity constraints and may have limited ability to scale; holdings likely concentrate heavily in a handful of space-economy plays, magnifying company-specific and sector-rotation risk.
  • Cyclicality and government funding dependency (both). Defense budgets and aerospace spending are policy-driven and economic-cycle sensitive; both ITA and XSPC can face sharp drawdowns if U.S. defense spending or space-exploration investment contracts.
  • Valuation and growth-stage risk (XSPC). Commercial space ventures are largely pre-profitability or early-revenue; XSPC's underlying holdings may trade at substantial premiums to traditional aerospace multiples and carry execution and market-adoption risk.
  • Index transparency versus thematic strategy opacity. ITA publishes its holdings and replication method transparently; XSPC's thematic approach and minimal assets leave its true volatility profile and holdings weightings less clear to prospective investors.

Bottom line

If you want diversified, low-cost exposure to established aerospace and defense leaders through a 20-year-old, liquid index vehicle, ITA offers a straightforward, passive route. If you're betting on disruptive growth in commercial space and accept concentration, illiquidity, and higher fees, XSPC aligns with that thesis—but its nascent size and thematic focus carry meaningful execution and liquidity risks that ITA sidesteps. Past performance, especially in thematic funds this young, does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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