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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 18, 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

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

ITA has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -10.62% total return against -16.52%. ITA has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 21.1% against 53.8% for XSPC. 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.
SymbolSince Jun 2026Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
ITA-10.62%21.1%-2.28-2.79-15.5%
XSPC-16.52%53.8%-1.41-1.97-30.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 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 start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the shared window since Jun 2026. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the shared window since Jun 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

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$213.84 as of September 18, 2026$21.01 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.47%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 69—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.32%—
Expense ratio0.37%0.75%
AUM$12.6B$2.12M
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$0.2505 payable today—
Ex-dividend date09/15/2026—

— 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$4551B

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$60.9M

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 0.47% 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 $12.6B in assets vs $2.12M 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 $3.92/month, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

ITA yield0.47%
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 $12.6B in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $2.12M in assets.

ITA AUM$12.6B
XSPC AUM$2.12M
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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 $3.92 per month ($47.00 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 shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -10.62% total return against -16.52%. ITA has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 21.1% against 53.8% for XSPC. 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 19, 2026.

Overview

ITA is a broad aerospace and defense index ETF tracking 60+ established manufacturers and suppliers across commercial aviation, defense contracting, and space systems. XSPC is a thematic space-economy ETF launched recently with a much tighter focus on companies involved in SpaceX's ecosystem and emerging space commerce. The fundamental difference: ITA owns the legacy defense industrial base; XSPC targets early-stage space-tech disruption.

How they differ

ITA tracks a diversified index of 60+ publicly traded aerospace and defense suppliers—names like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman alongside smaller Tier 2 and 3 contractors. XSPC, launched 06/15/2026, takes a curated approach to companies in the space economy, with an explicit emphasis on SpaceX partnerships and space-tech innovation. ITA has $12.6B in assets with a 0.37% expense ratio and trades at $213.84; XSPC has only $2.12M and charges 0.75%. The scale gap is dramatic: ITA has been tracking aerospace and defense since 05/01/2006, while XSPC is brand-new with minimal assets and limited trading history.

Who each is best for

ITA: Investors seeking diversified, liquid exposure to the established aerospace and defense supply chain—companies with decades of government contracts, stable earnings, and moderate dividend income. Fits allocations that want industrial exposure to proven contractors without single-company or emerging-technology risk.

XSPC: Investors with high risk tolerance who believe the commercial space economy will materially reshape satellite, launch, and orbital infrastructure industries, and who accept illiquidity, concentration, and early-stage volatility as the price for thematic conviction in space-tech disruption.

  • Thematic concentration (XSPC): XSPC's explicit SpaceX-ecosystem focus creates single-narrative risk. A sustained downturn in commercial space demand, SpaceX regulatory setbacks, or competitive losses to other launch providers could depress the entire holdings basket simultaneously.
  • Defense cyclicality (ITA): Aerospace and defense revenues and margins depend on government budget cycles, military spending priorities, and geopolitical tension. A sustained peace dividend or shift in Pentagon spending away from air platforms could reduce earnings across ITA's holdings.
  • Recent IPO and data gaps (XSPC): With an inception date of 06/15/2026, XSPC has no meaningful track record and no distribution history. Expense ratio sustainability and tax efficiency are untested.

Bottom line

If you want predictable, diversified exposure to an established industry sector with 18+ years of history and deep liquidity, ITA offers straightforward index tracking at low cost. If you're betting on space-economy disruption and willing to accept illiquidity, minimal assets, and early-stage risk, XSPC represents the thematic play. Past performance 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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How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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