iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) Performance
IDEF total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −3.1% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −7.1% total return
- Since first price
- +19.2% since 2025
IDEF trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | IDEF total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −6.6% | −6.6% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −7.4% | −7.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −11.2% | −11.4% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −3.1% | −3.3% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | −7.1% | −7.4% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionMay 21, 2025 | +19.2% | +18.8% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: IDEF vs SPY
From May 21, 2025: IDEF grew to $11,919, SPY to $13,255.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
IDEF returns by calendar year
2026 is year to date.
IDEF annual returns table
| Year | IDEF | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −3.1% | −18.9% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
IDEF largest drawdowns
Now 18.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2, 2026 | −18.9% | Oct 23, 2026 | not yet | 8 months | 8 months so far |
| Oct 8, 2025 | −12.3% | Nov 21, 2025 | Jan 5, 2026 | 44 days | 3 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
IDEF risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2025 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +15.0% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.59 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.93 |
| Best month | +12.3% |
| Worst month | −8.8% |
| Best 12 months | +31.6% |
| Worst 12 months | −1.5% |
| Positive months | 75% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
IDEF rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 6 | −7.5% | +12.7% | +31.6% | 67% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2025. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
IDEF performance overview
iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF) returned −7.1% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on May 21, 2025 it has returned +19.2%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −18.9%, from Mar 2, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026; the fund has not yet regained that high. Volatility has been 21.1% a year.
Related: IDEF chart, IDEF holdings, IDEF dividends, IDEF valuation. See the IDEF overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
IDEF performance FAQ
What is the IDEF return over the past year?
IDEF returned −7.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 7.4%.
How much would $10,000 invested in IDEF be worth?
$10,000 invested in IDEF at its first recorded close on May 21, 2025 would be worth about $11,919 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of IDEF?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −18.9% between March 2, 2026 and October 23, 2026. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 18.9% below its peak.
How volatile is IDEF?
Over the past history IDEF had an annualized volatility of 21.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.59 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).