Skip to main content
XAR logo

State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) Fund Overview

Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this

$233.09 +$1.49 (+0.64%)
Vol: 215.6K|

Beta 1.49: the stock has moved about 49% more than the S&P 500.

Data from FMP · Methodology

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gpt-4o-mini, generated Mar 17, 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 Answer

State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) trades at $233.09. Sector: Financials.

Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 17, 2026
The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) aims to track the performance of the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, providing investors with targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sectors. It offers a modified equal-weighted index approach, allowing for diversified investment across various market capitalizations.

Analyst Coverage for XAR: XAR does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.

▶ Watch the XAR film Every key number, told as a short cinematic story — just press play. ~2 min

State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) Financial Services Profile

HeadquartersBoston, US
IPO Year2011

The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) offers investors a unique opportunity to gain targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sectors through a modified equal-weighted index, facilitating strategic investment in a rapidly evolving industry.

Data Provenance | Financial Data Quantitative Analysis Analysis: Mar 17, 2026

What Is the Investment Thesis for XAR?

AI-written as of Mar 17, 2026 — figures and tone reflect the data available then, not today's score.

The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) is positioned to benefit from several key growth drivers, including increased government defense spending, advancements in aerospace technology, and rising global security concerns. With a market cap of $4.57 billion, XAR is well-positioned to capture opportunities in the aerospace and defense sectors, which are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.5% over the next five years. The ETF's modified equal-weighted index approach allows for diversified exposure across various market capitalizations, enhancing its potential for capital appreciation. Additionally, XAR's lack of dividend yield may appeal to growth-oriented investors focusing on capital gains. However, potential risks include fluctuations in defense budgets and geopolitical tensions that could impact sector performance. Overall, XAR serves as a strategic investment vehicle for those looking to gain exposure to the aerospace and defense industries.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

XAR Key Highlights

AI-written as of Mar 17, 2026 — figures and tone reflect the data available then, not today's score.

Market capitalization of $4.57 billion reflects strong investor interest in aerospace and defense sectors.

  • Beta of 1.49 indicates higher volatility compared to the broader market, appealing to risk-tolerant investors.
  • Utilizes a modified equal-weighted index to provide diversified exposure across various market capitalizations.
  • No dividend yield, focusing on capital appreciation rather than income generation.
  • Tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, aligning with industry performance.

Who Are XAR's Competitors?

XAR is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

Company Price Change Market Cap MoonshotScore
BKLC BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF $49.23 +0.74% $5.63B —
EUFN iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF $38.98 +0.80% $4.86B —
FELG FIDELITY ENHANCED LARGE CAP GROWTH ETF $45.73 +1.04% $6.08B —
FENI FIDELITY ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL ETF $40.00 +1.11% $10.5B —
GSIE Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta International Equity ETF $45.91 +1.03% $5.67B —
BLK BlackRock, Inc. $1059.63 -0.44% $164B —
BX Blackstone Inc. $111.74 -0.45% $135B —
APOS Apollo Global Management, Inc. $25.59 -0.23% $74.8B —

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are XAR's Key Strengths?

Strong market capitalization of $4.57 billion indicates investor confidence.

  • Unique modified equal-weighted index approach enhances diversification.
  • Established reputation as part of State Street Global Advisors.

What Are XAR's Weaknesses?

No dividend yield may deter income-focused investors.

  • Higher beta indicates increased volatility compared to the broader market.
  • Limited to aerospace and defense sectors, reducing diversification.

What Are the Key Risks for XAR?

Fluctuations in government defense budgets could impact sector performance.

  • Geopolitical tensions may create uncertainty in the aerospace and defense industries.
  • Competition from other ETFs and investment vehicles may affect market share.

What Are XAR's Competitive Advantages?

  • Strong brand recognition as part of State Street Global Advisors, a leading asset management firm.
  • Modified equal-weighted index approach provides unique exposure compared to traditional market-cap-weighted ETFs.
  • Diversification across large, mid, and small-cap stocks reduces concentration risk.
  • Established relationships with institutional investors enhance credibility and attract assets.
  • Expertise in asset management and ETF operations supports effective portfolio management.

What Does XAR Do?

The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) was established to provide investors with a means of accessing the performance of the aerospace and defense sectors through a diversified investment vehicle. The ETF seeks to replicate the total return performance of the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, which encompasses a broad range of companies within these industries. By utilizing a modified equal-weighted index approach, XAR allows for a more balanced exposure across large, mid, and small-cap stocks, reducing concentration risk typically associated with traditional market-cap-weighted indices. This structure enables investors to take strategic or tactical positions in a more targeted manner, aligning with specific investment strategies or market views. The ETF is designed for investors looking to capitalize on the growth potential in the aerospace and defense sectors, which are influenced by factors such as government spending, technological advancements, and global security dynamics. With its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, State Street Global Advisors manages XAR, leveraging its extensive expertise in asset management to deliver value to investors. As of now, the ETF has a market capitalization of approximately $4.57 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the market and investor interest in the aerospace and defense sectors.

What Products and Services Does XAR Offer?

  • Provide investment results that correspond to the total return performance of the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index.
  • Offer exposure to the aerospace and defense segments of the S&P TMI.
  • Utilize a modified equal-weighted index for diversified investment across various market capitalizations.
  • Enable investors to take strategic or tactical positions in the aerospace and defense sectors.
  • Facilitate targeted investment strategies beyond traditional sector-based investing.
  • Serve as a vehicle for investors seeking growth in the aerospace and defense industries.

How Does XAR Make Money?

  • Generate revenue through management fees associated with the ETF's assets under management.
  • Benefit from the performance of underlying securities within the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index.
  • Attract investors seeking targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sectors.
  • Leverage economies of scale as assets under management increase, reducing per-unit costs.
  • Utilize a modified equal-weighted index approach to enhance diversification and reduce concentration risk.

What Industry Does XAR Operate In?

The aerospace and defense industry is experiencing robust growth, driven by increased government spending on defense and security, technological advancements, and a rising demand for aerospace products. The global aerospace and defense market is projected to reach approximately $1 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of around 4.5%. In this competitive landscape, the State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) stands out by offering targeted exposure to this dynamic sector through a modified equal-weighted index approach. This allows investors to capitalize on the growth potential of both established and emerging companies within the aerospace and defense industries, positioning XAR favorably among its peers.

Who Are XAR's Key Customers?

  • Institutional investors seeking targeted exposure to the aerospace and defense sectors.
  • Retail investors looking for diversified investment options within the aerospace and defense industries.
  • Financial advisors and wealth managers incorporating sector-focused ETFs into client portfolios.
  • Pension funds and endowments aiming to diversify their investment strategies.
  • Hedge funds and other active investors seeking tactical positions in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Model self-rating on this text: 72% (not a measure of the evidence) Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Research confidence

Low

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 -7.7%.

XAR Financials

Bull Case vs Bear Case

Bull Case

  • Strong market capitalization of $4.57 billion indicates investor confidence.
  • Unique modified equal-weighted index approach enhances diversification.
  • Established reputation as part of State Street Global Advisors.
  • Upcoming: Increased defense budgets expected to be announced in the upcoming fiscal year.

Bear Case

  • No dividend yield may deter income-focused investors.
  • Higher beta indicates increased volatility compared to the broader market.
  • Limited to aerospace and defense sectors, reducing diversification.
  • Potential: Fluctuations in government defense budgets could impact sector performance.

AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026

XAR Latest News

XAR Analyst Consensus

Consensus Rating

Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for XAR.

Price Targets

Wall Street price target analysis for XAR.

XAR MoonshotScore

MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for XAR; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).

What Investors Ask About State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) — Financials

What regulatory challenges does State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF face?

The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF operates within a regulatory environment that includes compliance with SEC regulations and adherence to the Investment Company Act of 1940. The ETF must maintain transparency in its holdings and ensure that it meets capital requirements.

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

Price as of Analysis updated

MoonshotScore is not published for this security.

Data Sources & Methodology
Figures come from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP). If FMP has no figure for a ticker, a price or fundamental may come from a Yahoo Finance fallback, or a price from an Alpaca fallback. SEC EDGAR is used only for filing links and company identity details (legal name, address), never for figures. AI analysis by Stock Expert AI proprietary algorithms. Technical indicators via industry-standard calculations. Last updated: .
Data Provenance
Sources: Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) — Primary · Yahoo Finance — Fallback · Alpaca — Tertiary
Last fetched:
Cache TTL: Quote 5min · Profile 7d · Financials 7d · Insider 48h
How we use AI: Numbers are pulled directly from FMP & Yahoo Finance — our AI writes the analysis, it never edits the figures.
Data provided as-is for educational purposes. Not financial advice. Methodology

Data provided for informational purposes only.

Analysis Notes
  • The analysis is based on available data as of March 2026 and may be subject to change based on market conditions and regulatory developments.
Data Sources
Financial Modeling Prep (FMP)Stock Expert AI proprietary analysis