ITA
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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.
Updated November 6, 2026
No track record yet. XSPC launched within the last six months. The forward distribution rate is left blank until a payout is published.
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Price and total return
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Distribution Safety Score
An estimate of distribution reliability, not price or principal safety, a probability, or a guarantee. Score methodology.
XSPC
Not rated
No published distribution safety rating is available.
Score snapshot as of . Method 1.11.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  ITA |  XSPC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF |
| Issuer | iShares | VegaShares |
| Last Close | $68.98 as of November 6, 2026 | $16.79 as of November 6, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 0.16% | — |
| Trailing 12-month yield | 0.09% | — |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 35 | — |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 0.06% | — |
| Expense ratio | 0.37% | 0.75% |
| AUM | $12.5B | $1.75M |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | None |
| Underlying index | Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index | — |
| Objective | Tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. | Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 05/01/2006 | 06/15/2026 |
| Beta | 0.98 | — |
| Last dividend | $0.02784 | — |
| Ex-dividend date | 09/15/2026 | — |
— 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.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
ITA has lagged XSPC over the year to date, posting a -68.20% total return against -39.49%. XSPC has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 53.4% against 182.8% for ITA. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | Since Jun 2026 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA | -68.20% | -71.53% | 182.8% | -1.77 | -1.77 | -73.1% |
| XSPC | -39.49% | -39.49% | 53.4% | -2.50 | -3.13 | -39.5% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of November 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “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.
Not a distribution payer
XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. XSPC is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
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.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
ETFs468
Total AUM$4.63T
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ITA.
ETFs7
Total AUM$79.0M
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.
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 has paid a 0.09% yield over the past 12 months. 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 $12.5B in assets vs $1.75M for XSPC, but XSPC only launched June 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.
Top-holdings overlap
Positions that appear in every fund's top 10. Issuers disclose only the largest weights, so this captures the overlap of the concentrated end of each book — not the full portfolios.
0 shared positions
ITA 0.0% of its top-10 weight
XSPC 0.0% of its top-10 weight
No overlap among the top-10 disclosed holdings of ITA, XSPC. These funds draw from largely different positions at the top of their books.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment at the rates paid over the past 12 months, ITA would pay about $9.00 a year (about $2.25 per quarterly distribution on average), while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available.
ITA 12-month yield0.09%
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 beta0.98
XSPC beta—
Fund details
ITA is managed by iShares (launched 05/01/2006) with $12.5B in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $1.75M in assets.
ITA AUM$12.5B
XSPC AUM$1.75M
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. Their disclosed top-10 holdings share no positions, so combining both spreads your money across different underlying names — see the holdings-overlap section above for the details. Overlap outside the disclosed top 10 can still exist.
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 the rates paid over the past 12 months, $10,000 in ITA would pay about $9.00 a year (about $2.25 per quarterly distribution on average). XSPC does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate.
Which has performed better historically, ITA or XSPC?
ITA has lagged XSPC over the year to date, posting a -68.20% total return against -39.49%. XSPC has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 53.4% against 182.8% for ITA. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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ITA vs XSPC — at a glance
Generated October 31, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
ITA is a broad-market aerospace and defense index ETF tracking 81 companies across the established defense contractors and suppliers. XSPC is a thematic space-economy ETF focused on SpaceX-adjacent companies and emerging space industries. The funds target overlapping but distinct investor interests: traditional defense exposure versus emerging commercial space ventures.
How they differ
ITA follows a standard index methodology tied to the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while XSPC pursues a thematic strategy centered on SpaceX and the broader commercial space sector—a narrower, more speculative remit. ITA has $12.5B in assets with 0.37% in fees; XSPC holds $1.75M and charges 0.75%, a 0.38 percentage-point gap. ITA's 0.98 beta suggests market-level sensitivity to equity swings.
Who each is best for
- ITA: Fits investors seeking broad, liquid exposure to established aerospace and defense contractors with minimal expense and predictable quarterly income. Works for those building a core holding in a mature, cyclical sector.
- XSPC: Designed for investors with a high conviction in commercial space-economy growth and tolerance for concentrated, early-stage thematic positioning. Suits those willing to accept illiquidity and research burden in pursuit of emerging-sector upside. Wide bid-ask spreads, thin trading volume, and difficulty executing large orders are likely; the fund may be difficult to exit quickly or at quoted prices.
- Concentration and company risk (XSPC): Thematic funds by design concentrate exposure in a narrow subset of companies. XSPC's focus on SpaceX-adjacent businesses means a single regulatory setback, technical failure, or competitive loss could materially harm the fund's holdings.
- Index-tracking risk (ITA): ITA's aerospace and defense weighting depends on sector classification rules and index inclusion decisions. Sector rotation out of defense or shifts in military and civilian spending can pressure valuations independent of individual company fundamentals.
- Cyclical and geopolitical sensitivity: Both funds are tied to defense spending, military procurement cycles, and geopolitical tension. A shift in defense budgets or a move away from military spending would reduce demand for both traditional defense work and emerging space-military applications.
- XSPC maturity and strategy transparency: XSPC 4 months. Its thematic index or strategy is not detailed in issuer materials provided; investors lack clarity on holdings, rebalancing rules, and how "SpaceX and Beyond Earth" is operationalized.
Bottom line
ITA offers cheap, liquid, index-based access to an established industrial sector with modest income and market-level volatility; XSPC bets on an emerging theme with concentrated holdings, higher fees, and minimal liquidity. If you want steady broad exposure to defense with low costs, ITA's structure and track record stand out. If you believe commercial space will outperform and can tolerate illiquidity and opacity, XSPC presents a concentrated entry point—though its small asset base and recent launch merit extra due diligence. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.