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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers 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.

ROKT has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -9.77% total return against -16.52%. ROKT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 25.8% 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
ROKT-9.77%25.8%-1.72-2.24-13.8%
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.
MetricROKTXSPC
Full nameSPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETFVegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF
IssuerState StreetVegaShares
Last Close$105.76 as of September 18, 2026$21.01 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.18%
Distribution Safety Score™ 78
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.14%
Expense ratio0.45%0.75%
AUM$181M$2.12M
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyNone
Underlying indexS&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index
ObjectiveTracks the S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index, providing exposure to companies driving innovation in deep space and deep sea frontiers.Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date10/19/201806/15/2026
Beta1.46
Last dividend$0.048
Ex-dividend date06/22/2026

— 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 — ROKT charges 0.45% 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.

ETFs179
Total AUM$2092B

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

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ROKT.

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.

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Quick verdict

ROKT (SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF) and XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

ROKT currently shows a 0.18% distribution yield. XSPC has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

ROKT is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.45% compared to 0.75%.

ROKT has $181M 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, ROKT would generate roughly $1.50/month, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

ROKT yield0.18%
XSPC yield

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, ROKT would cost approximately $450 in fees vs $750 for XSPC (simplified, not compounded). The $300.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

ROKT ER0.45%
XSPC ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

ROKT tracks S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index, while XSPC is an ETF built around a thematic strategy.

ROKT beta1.46
XSPC beta

Fund details

ROKT is managed by State Street (launched 10/19/2018) with $181M in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $2.12M in assets.

ROKT AUM$181M
XSPC AUM$2.12M

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Frequently asked questions

Which of ROKT or XSPC pays more dividend income?

ROKT 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 ROKT and XSPC?

ROKT (SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF) tracks S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index, while XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) is an ETF built around a thematic strategy. They are issued by State Street and VegaShares respectively.

Can I hold both ROKT 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, ROKT or XSPC?

ROKT has an expense ratio of 0.45% 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 ROKT vs XSPC generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in ROKT would generate roughly $1.50 per month ($18.00 annually). XSPC has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.

Which has performed better historically, ROKT or XSPC?

ROKT has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -9.77% total return against -16.52%. ROKT has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 25.8% 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

ROKT vs XSPC — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

ROKT and XSPC are both space-themed equity ETFs that track innovation in aerospace and space exploration, but they operate at vastly different scales and track different indexes. ROKT, from State Street, tracks the S&P Kensho Final Frontiers Index and includes exposure to deep-sea ventures alongside space companies; it has been operating since late 2018 with $181M in assets. XSPC, from VegaShares, launched in mid-2026 and focuses specifically on SpaceX and related space companies, with $2.12M under management.

How they differ

The most significant difference is scope and maturity: ROKT tracks a diversified Kensho index spanning both deep space and deep sea frontiers across an established asset base, while XSPC is a nascent, micro-cap fund with a narrower thematic mandate tied to SpaceX and adjacent space plays.

Who each is best for

ROKT: Fits investors seeking thematic space and deep-sea innovation exposure through a larger, more established fund with modest income generation and lower fees; suits buy-and-hold allocators who want quarterly distributions and published beta (1.46).

XSPC: Designed for investors willing to tolerate illiquidity and higher fees in exchange for concentrated SpaceX-focused exposure; appeals to those bullish on a specific space-economy narrative rather than broad frontier innovation. ROKT's broader index and $181M mitigate this, but both funds remain micro/small-cap by ETF standards.

  • Thematic drawdown duration. Space exploration is cyclical and capital-intensive; regulatory delays, failed launches, funding disruptions, or shifts in government spending can trigger prolonged underperformance. ROKT's inclusion of deep-sea ventures offers some diversification; XSPC's SpaceX focus concentrates that risk in a single commercial ecosystem.
  • Elevated market sensitivity. ROKT publishes a 1.46 beta, indicating heightened sensitivity to broad market swings. XSPC's volatility profile is untested given its recent inception (06/15/2026) and minimal operating history; actual price swings may differ significantly from space-sector or thematic-fund benchmarks.
  • Early-stage fund operational risk. XSPC is newly launched; small ETFs face closure risk if AUM does not grow, and liquidation costs would fall on remaining shareholders.

Bottom line

If you want broad frontier-innovation exposure with an established track record, lower fees, and regular distributions, ROKT aligns with a traditional buy-and-hold approach; if you're betting specifically on SpaceX's dominance and willing to accept a micro-cap fund's liquidity constraints and expense drag, XSPC targets that conviction more directly. Both are thematic bets on sectors with multi-decade narratives ahead—neither should dominate a core portfolio. 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.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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