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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of First Trust Indxx 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.

MISL has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -9.58% total return against -16.52%. MISL has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 25.2% 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
MISL-9.58%25.2%-1.73-2.28-12.2%
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.
MetricMISLXSPC
Full nameFirst Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETFVegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF
IssuerFirst TrustVegaShares
Last Close$42.38 as of September 18, 2026$21.01 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.14%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 74—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.10%—
Expense ratio0.60%0.75%
AUM$705M$2.12M
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyNone
Underlying index——
Objective—Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date10/25/202206/15/2026
Beta0.92—
Last dividend$0.029—
Ex-dividend date03/26/2026—

— 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.

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Income calculator

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

First Trust
ETFs319
Total AUM$286B

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

First Trust is known for offering a diverse lineup of actively and passively managed ETFs across multiple investment styles and asset classes. Their fund families span income-focused strategies including dividend and covered call approaches, as well as thematic, factor-based, alternatives, and sector-specific offerings that appeal to different investor objectives. The issuer provides breadth across allocation, bond, buffer, commodities, and municipal fund categories, making them a comprehensive provider serving various portfolio construction and income-generation needs.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on MISL.

See all First Trust 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

MISL (First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

MISL currently shows a 0.14% distribution yield. XSPC has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

MISL is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.60% compared to 0.75%.

MISL has $705M 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, MISL would generate roughly $1.17/month, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

MISL yield0.14%
XSPC yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, MISL would cost approximately $600 in fees vs $750 for XSPC (simplified, not compounded). The $150.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

MISL ER0.60%
XSPC ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

MISL is an ETF built around industrials exposure, while XSPC is an ETF built around a thematic strategy.

MISL beta0.92
XSPC beta—

Fund details

MISL is managed by First Trust (launched 10/25/2022) with $705M in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $2.12M in assets.

MISL AUM$705M
XSPC AUM$2.12M
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Frequently asked questions

Which of MISL or XSPC pays more dividend income?

MISL 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 MISL and XSPC?

MISL (First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF) is an ETF built around industrials exposure, while XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) is an ETF built around a thematic strategy. They are issued by First Trust and VegaShares respectively.

Can I hold both MISL 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, MISL or XSPC?

MISL has an expense ratio of 0.60% 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 MISL vs XSPC generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in MISL would generate roughly $1.17 per month ($14.00 annually). XSPC has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.

Which has performed better historically, MISL or XSPC?

MISL has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -9.58% total return against -16.52%. MISL has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 25.2% 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

MISL vs XSPC — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

MISL and XSPC are both equity ETFs targeting the aerospace and space economy, but they differ fundamentally in scope and structure. MISL focuses on a broad index of established aerospace and defense companies spanning industrials and technology. XSPC is a thematic fund offering concentrated exposure to space-related equities, including private companies accessed through alternative structures. The key distinction is breadth: MISL tracks an index of legacy and modern defense contractors, while XSPC leans into pure-play space exposure with less conventional holdings.

How they differ

MISL's index-based approach captures the established aerospace and defense industrial base—companies with long operating histories and substantial government contracts. XSPC pursues a thematic strategy focused on the commercial space economy, likely including exposure to SpaceX and similar firms that may not fit traditional aerospace indices. MISL carries a 0.60% expense ratio with $705M in assets; XSPC charges 0.75% and holds just $2.12M, reflecting its niche positioning. MISL's 0.92 beta reflects its market-aligned sensitivity to equity swings.

Who each is best for

MISL: Fits investors seeking diversified exposure to the traditional aerospace and defense sector—a mix of legacy contractors and industrial suppliers with established dividend and earnings profiles. Works well for those wanting index discipline and lower costs without taking concentrated bets on emerging space ventures. Appeals to those seeking thematic exposure to next-generation space companies rather than mainstream defense names.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration: Both funds anchor to aerospace and space, creating correlated exposure to commodity cycles, government budget pressures, and supply chain disruptions. A sharp pullback in defense spending or launch demand would pressure both holdings simultaneously. Thin trading or forced liquidation could affect NAV; MISL's $705M and longer history offer substantially more stability.
  • Private-company valuation risk in XSPC: Thematic space funds often access pre-public or private companies through structured investments or funds-of-funds, which may carry wider bid-ask spreads, stale pricing, and limited liquidity—risks not present in MISL's public-company index basket.
  • Limited income from XSPC: The absence of a distribution rate reflects minimal earnings or a strategy favoring capital appreciation; investors expecting dividend income will find none here, unlike MISL's 0.14% yield.

Bottom line

If you want broad, liquid exposure to an established industrial sector with a modest income stream, MISL's index approach and larger scale deliver both. 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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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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