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ETF Comparison

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

A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P 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.

XAR has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -14.87% total return against -16.52%. XAR has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 26.4% 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
XAR-14.87%26.4%-2.54-3.04-19.2%
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.
MetricXARXSPC
Full nameSPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETFVegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF
IssuerState StreetVegaShares
Last Close$239.86 as of September 18, 2026$21.01 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.10%—
Distribution Safety Score™ 63—
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.06%—
Expense ratio0.35%0.75%
AUM$5.76B$2.12M
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyNone
Underlying indexS&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index—
ObjectiveTracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, an equal-weighted index of U.S. aerospace and defense companies.Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/28/201106/15/2026
Beta1.28—
Last dividend$0.062—
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 — XAR charges 0.35% 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.

State Street
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 XAR.

See all State Street 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

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and XSPC (VegaShares SpaceX & Beyond Earth ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

XAR currently shows a 0.10% distribution yield. XSPC has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

XAR is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.35% compared to 0.75%.

XAR has $5.76B 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, XAR would generate roughly $0.83/month, while XSPC has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, at current distribution rates.

XAR yield0.10%
XSPC yield—

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, XAR would cost approximately $350 in fees vs $750 for XSPC (simplified, not compounded). The $400.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

XAR ER0.35%
XSPC ER0.75%

Strategy & risk

XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while XSPC is an ETF built around a thematic strategy.

XAR beta1.28
XSPC beta—

Fund details

XAR is managed by State Street (launched 09/28/2011) with $5.76B in assets. XSPC is managed by VegaShares (launched 06/15/2026) with $2.12M in assets.

XAR AUM$5.76B
XSPC AUM$2.12M
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Frequently asked questions

Which of XAR or XSPC pays more dividend income?

XAR 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 XAR and XSPC?

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry 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 XAR 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, XAR or XSPC?

XAR has an expense ratio of 0.35% 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 XAR vs XSPC generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in XAR would generate roughly $0.83 per month ($10.00 annually). XSPC has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available.

Which has performed better historically, XAR or XSPC?

XAR has outpaced XSPC over the shared window since Jun 2026, posting a -14.87% total return against -16.52%. XAR has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 26.4% 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

XAR vs XSPC — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

XAR and XSPC both target space and aerospace sectors but pursue distinctly different strategies. XAR tracks a broad, equal-weighted index of established U.S. aerospace and defense companies—household names like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. XSPC is a thematic fund focused on space commerce and emerging space-tech companies, launched in 2026. The difference hinges on maturity and breadth: XAR is defensive industrial exposure with a $5.76B asset base, while XSPC is a speculative bet on the space economy with only $2.12M in assets.

How they differ

XAR holds a diversified basket of established defense contractors weighted equally, while XSPC concentrates on smaller, growth-oriented space-technology firms. That's the strategic divide. Cost and risk profile differ sharply too: XAR charges 0.35% against $5.76B in a mature fund dating to 09/28/2011, and carries a 1.28 beta reflecting moderate amplification of market moves.

Who each is best for

  • XAR: Fits investors seeking stable, dividend-backed exposure to a cyclical but established industrial sector; suits those comfortable with a beta slightly above 1.0 and needing quarterly income alongside capital appreciation.
  • XSPC: Fits investors with a higher risk tolerance who believe space commerce will grow materially and are willing to hold a concentrated, illiquid thematic position without near-term dividend support; suits longer time horizons and smaller allocation sizes.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration: Both funds are narrowly focused on aerospace and space. Their performance hinges on a single industry's growth and government spending or commercial space demand. Downturn in defense budgets or delays in commercial space projects would hit both simultaneously. XAR, with $5.76B, faces no such constraint.
  • Maturity and strategy drift in XSPC: XSPC was launched 06/15/2026, so there is no long-term performance or strategy persistence to evaluate. Holdings may shift materially as the space economy evolves, potentially widening losses if early bets fail to materialize.
  • Cyclicality and defense spending: XAR's 1.28 exposure means aerospace stocks amplify broad market downturns. Defense spending is government-driven and subject to political and budgetary volatility.
  • Thematic concentration in XSPC: Thematic funds often concentrate into a handful of winners, magnifying single-company or subsector risk. Space-tech companies are typically smaller, less profitable, and more vulnerable to execution risk than XAR's incumbents.

Bottom line

If you want established, diversified aerospace and defense with quarterly income and a 15-year track record, XAR offers clear simplicity at low cost. Past performance of either fund 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.

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

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