Update on Aerospace and Defense ETFs 2019: Still Flying High
One of the best ways to diversify at less cost is with an ETF.
As we noted in early August 2019, most defense names became very expensive. Just a few months later, they've become that much more expensive.
- Raytheon (RTN) was $179. It is now $217
- Boeing (BA) traded at $339. It has climbed to $366
- General Dynamics (GD) was at $182. Unchanged at $182
- Northrop Grumman (NOC) was at $341. Now $351
- United Technologies (UTX) was at $130. Now at $148
If I wanted to own just 10 shares of each, it would have cost me $11,710 in August. Now it would be $12,640.
If I wanted to own 100 shares of each, we would have spent $117,100 in August. Now it would be $126,400.
At the same time, though, I can gain the same exposure to those by picking up defense ETFs, such as the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR), which traded at $103 a share in August. It's now trading at $110. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) traded at $211 at the time. It's now trading at $232
What’s nice is that the ITA doesn’t just provide me exposure to the names listed above. In fact, as of July 2018, it offered exposure to 41 related stocks, including those above plus L3 Technologies (LLL) and Lockheed Martin (LMT).
Meanwhile, the XAR also provided good value with large, mid-cap and small-cap defense and aerospace names as well.
The question becomes – why not pay less for more?
Interesting to note, in early July 2018, many related stocks like Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed Martin had all sunk on the idea of peaceful relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and a good deal of trade war fears.
Even as many of the defense and aerospace stocks started to show signs of bottoming out after tumbling from lofty highs, the best way to trade this group is by buying a basket of ETFs that offer you diversification at less cost.
Three of the most popular aerospace and defense ETFs, include:
SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR)
Price as of December 2, 2019: $110
The SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the total return performance of the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. It has holdings in Axon Enterprise Inc., Textron Inc., AeroVironment Inc. and Orbital ATK Inc.
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iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)
Price as of December 2, 2019: $231
The iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF invests in stocks in the domestic aerospace and defense sector. These stocks can include companies that manufacture both commercial and military aircraft as well as other types of defense-related equipment. It has holdings in Boeing, United Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman.
Power Shares Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA)
Price as of December 2, 2019: $69
The Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US-listed stocks involved in the defense, military, homeland security and space industries. It has holdings in Boeing, United Technologies, Honeywell International, Raytheon, and General Dynamics.
If you're interested in adding some aerospace and defense stocks to your portfolio, consider doing so via an ETF. A well-chosen ETF can give you instant diversification across popular sectors -- and make investing and profiting from it that much easier.
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