Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) Performance
SHLD total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −4.2% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −8.6% total return
- 3 years
- +35.5% a year
- Since first price
- +35.0% a year since 2023
SHLD trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | SHLD total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −0.7% | −0.7% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.4% | −1.4% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −9.8% | −10.1% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −4.2% | −4.5% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | −8.6% | −9.2% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +149.0%+35.5%/yr | +144.8% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionSep 13, 2023 | +154.4%+35.0%/yr | +150.2% | — | — | — |
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: SHLD vs SPY
From Sep 13, 2023: SHLD grew to $25,442, SPY to $17,711.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
SHLD returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2025 (+74.2%), worst 2024 (+35.0%). 2026 is year to date.
SHLD annual returns table
| Year | SHLD | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −4.2% | −25.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +74.2% | −15.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +35.0% | −10.9% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
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.
SHLD largest drawdowns
Now 20.4% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 9, 2026 | −25.4% | Jun 25, 2026 | not yet | 4 months | 7 months so far |
| Oct 8, 2025 | −15.1% | Dec 1, 2025 | Jan 8, 2026 | 54 days | 3 months |
| Nov 11, 2024 | −10.9% | Dec 18, 2024 | Feb 18, 2025 | 37 days | 3 months |
| Mar 18, 2025 | −10.5% | Apr 7, 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 | 20 days | 24 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
SHLD risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +35.9% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.7% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.34 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.56 |
| Best month | +16.1% |
| Worst month | −11.3% |
| Best 12 months | +91.0% |
| Worst 12 months | −13.9% |
| Positive months | 67% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.32 |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.19 |
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.
SHLD rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 26 | −13.9% | +49.8% | +91.0% | 88% |
| 3-year (a year) | 2 | +35.0% | +35.5% | +35.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
SHLD performance overview
Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) returned −8.6% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +35.0% a year, turning $10,000 into about $25,442. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −25.4%, from Mar 9, 2026 to Jun 25, 2026; the fund has not yet regained that high. Volatility has been 21.7% a year.
Related: SHLD chart, SHLD holdings, SHLD dividends, SHLD valuation. See the SHLD overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
SHLD performance FAQ
What is the SHLD return over the past year?
SHLD returned −8.6% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 9.2%.
How much would $10,000 invested in SHLD be worth?
$10,000 invested in SHLD at its first recorded close on September 13, 2023 would be worth about $25,442 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for SHLD?
The worst calendar year was 2024, with a total return of +35.0%. The best was 2025 at +74.2%.
What is the biggest drawdown of SHLD?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −25.4% between March 9, 2026 and June 25, 2026. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 20.4% below its peak.
How volatile is SHLD?
Over the past 3 years SHLD had an annualized volatility of 21.7% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.34 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).