First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) Fund Overview
Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this
Beta 1.02: the stock has moved roughly in step with the S&P 500.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gemini-2.0-flash, generated Mar 16, 2026. Editorial oversight is systemic, not page-by-page. Editorially accountable: Sedat ANAK, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. Data sources: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance, SEC EDGAR
Quick AnswerFirst Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) trades at $42.23. First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF aims to replicate the performance of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index. Sector: Financials.
Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 16, 2026Analyst Coverage for MISL: MISL does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) Financial Services Profile
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) provides targeted exposure to the U.S. aerospace and defense sector by mirroring the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index. With a focus on market capitalization-weighted stocks, MISL offers investors a specialized tool for participating in this industry segment, maintaining a beta of 1.02.
What Is the Investment Thesis for MISL?
MISL presents a targeted investment vehicle for those seeking exposure to the U.S. aerospace and defense industry. With a market capitalization of $0.22 billion, the ETF offers a focused approach to this sector. The fund's strategy of mirroring the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index provides a passive investment option, potentially appealing to investors looking for cost-effective exposure. However, the absence of dividend yield may deter income-focused investors. The fund's beta of 1.02 indicates a market-average level of volatility, aligning with broader market movements. Upcoming geopolitical events and defense spending policies could serve as catalysts, while potential shifts in government regulations and international relations pose risks.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
MISL Key Highlights
Market capitalization of $0.22 billion, indicating a mid-sized ETF within the aerospace and defense sector.
- Beta of 1.02, suggesting a volatility level that is similar to the overall market.
- The fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the common stocks that comprise the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index.
- Absence of dividend yield, which may not appeal to income-seeking investors.
- The fund's performance is closely tied to the performance of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index.
Who Are MISL's Competitors?
MISL is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDEC Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF | $55.19 | +0.47% | $226M | — |
| FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | $78.92 | +0.89% | $220M | — |
| GOCT FT Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - October | $42.84 | +0.09% | $269M | — |
| MFUS PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor U.S. Equity ETF | $65.32 | +0.29% | $290M | — |
| PIN Invesco India ETF | $23.98 | +2.28% | $178M | — |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | $1066.45 | +0.64% | $164B | 51 5-pillar |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | $111.64 | -0.09% | $136B | 68 5-pillar |
| APOS Apollo Global Management, Inc. | $25.59 | 0.00% | $74.8B | 56 5-pillar |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are MISL's Key Strengths?
Targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sector.
- Passive investment strategy with low expense ratio.
- Diversified portfolio of U.S. companies.
- Liquidity and transparency of an ETF.
What Are MISL's Weaknesses?
Lack of dividend yield may deter income-seeking investors.
- Performance is tied to a specific sector, increasing concentration risk.
- Susceptible to geopolitical and regulatory risks.
- Limited flexibility compared to actively managed funds.
What Are the Key Risks for MISL?
Geopolitical instability and conflicts.
- Changes in government regulations and policies.
- Economic downturns and budget cuts.
- Competition from other ETFs and investment funds.
What Are MISL's Competitive Advantages?
- Established brand and reputation of First Trust.
- Passive investment strategy provides cost-effective exposure.
- Diversified portfolio within the aerospace and defense sector.
- Liquidity and transparency of an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
What Does MISL Do?
The First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) was created to track the performance of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index. The fund operates under the umbrella of First Trust, a financial services company known for its exchange-traded funds and other investment products. MISL provides investors with a focused approach to investing in the aerospace and defense sector, primarily in the United States. By holding a portfolio of stocks that constitute the index, MISL offers a convenient way for investors to gain exposure to this specific market segment. The fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in the common stocks that comprise the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index. This strategy allows MISL to closely mirror the index's performance, providing investors with returns that generally align with the overall performance of the aerospace and defense industry. MISL's investment strategy is passive, aiming to replicate the index rather than actively selecting individual stocks. This approach typically results in lower management fees compared to actively managed funds. The fund's performance is directly tied to the performance of the underlying index, making it a tool for investors who have a specific outlook on the aerospace and defense sector.
What Products and Services Does MISL Offer?
- Tracks the performance of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index.
- Invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. aerospace and defense companies.
- Provides investors with targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sector.
- Offers a passive investment strategy by replicating the index.
- Seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the index.
- Maintains a diversified portfolio of companies within the sector.
How Does MISL Make Money?
- Generates revenue through management fees charged to investors.
- Fees are calculated as a percentage of the fund's net asset value.
- Operates as an exchange-traded fund (ETF), providing liquidity and transparency to investors.
What Industry Does MISL Operate In?
MISL operates within the asset management industry, specifically focusing on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track specific sectors. The aerospace and defense sector is influenced by government spending, geopolitical events, and technological advancements. The competitive landscape includes other ETFs and investment funds that target the same sector, such as BDEC, FXZ, GOCT, MFUS and PIN. These funds compete for investor capital based on factors like expense ratios, tracking error, and liquidity. The overall market for aerospace and defense investments is driven by global security concerns and military modernization efforts.
Who Are MISL's Key Customers?
- Individual investors seeking exposure to the aerospace and defense sector.
- Institutional investors looking for a passive investment strategy.
- Financial advisors seeking to diversify client portfolios.
- Pension funds and endowments investing in specific sectors.
Research confidence
Thin evidence — scoring coverage unknown. Treat this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
- ● Scoring coverage unknown
- ● Price is current
- ● No filing on record
- ● No analyst coverage
- ● This is an etf, not an operating company
MoonshotScore History
Recorded daily since 2026-08-23 · 41 snapshots
| 2026-08-23 | 47 |
| 2026-08-31 | 47 |
| 2026-09-08 | 47 |
| 2026-09-16 | 47 |
| 2026-09-24 | 47 |
| 2026-10-04 | 47 |
What changed?
The score has stayed at 47.
Over the same 30 days the stock moved -4.3%.
MISL Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sector.
- Passive investment strategy with low expense ratio.
- Diversified portfolio of U.S. companies.
- Liquidity and transparency of an ETF.
Bear Case
- Lack of dividend yield may deter income-seeking investors.
- Performance is tied to a specific sector, increasing concentration risk.
- Susceptible to geopolitical and regulatory risks.
- Limited flexibility compared to actively managed funds.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
MISL Latest News
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Nvidia, FAA Join Palantir’s AI Expansion as Cyber Push Takes Off
benzinga · Sep 10, 2026
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Net Asset Value(s)
Yahoo! Finance: MISL News · Sep 7, 2026
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Why Is Palantir Technologies Stock Soaring Thursday?
benzinga · Sep 3, 2026
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Net Asset Value(s)
Yahoo! Finance: MISL News · Sep 1, 2026
MISL Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for MISL.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for MISL.
MISL MoonshotScore
MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for MISL; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).
Leadership: James M. Dykas
Unknown
James M. Further research would be required to provide a comprehensive profile.
Track Record: Information on James M. Dykas's track record, key achievements, strategic decisions, and company milestones under their leadership is not available in the provided data. Further research would be required to provide a comprehensive assessment.
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF Financials Stock: Key Questions Answered
What does First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF do?
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) is designed to mirror the performance of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index. The ETF invests primarily in the common stocks of U.S. companies that operate within the aerospace and defense sector.
What are the main risks for MISL?
The main risks for MISL are closely linked to the aerospace and defense sector. Geopolitical instability and conflicts could negatively impact the performance of companies in the sector. Changes in government regulations and policies, such as defense spending cuts, could also pose a risk. Economic downturns and budget cuts could reduce demand for aerospace and defense products and services.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
MoonshotScore is not published for this security.
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Information on James M. Dykas's background and track record is not available in the provided data.