First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL)
Market Price (8/17/2026): $48.18
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL)
Market Price (8/17/2026): $48.18
Key Takeaways
- MISL has returned +12.2% YTD vs +14.2% for SPY; +24.8% over the past 12 months (SPY +21.7%). details →
- Priced in gold, MISL has returned -7.7% over the past 3 years, vs +114.2% in dollars — its dollar gains have lagged gold. details →
- Over the past month, MISL has seen net outflows of −$20M (−2.6% of assets). details →
- MISL's portfolio trades at 36.4x forward earnings — a 362% premium to SPY (7.9x). details →
- 83% of MISL's portfolio (by weight) is currently profitable, vs 98% for SPY. details →
Asset Allocation with MISL
Moderate — 55% equity / 25% bonds / 20% alternatives
10Y Return (ann.)
+8.2%
Volatility
8.1%
Sharpe
0.68
YTD
+8.3%
Modeled with monthly rebalancing to target weights; 10-year figures are annualized from monthly returns. Illustrative only — past performance is not indicative of future results.
Learn More →
Tailored Asset Allocation
[1] Personalized 5 Level Risk Tolerance Assessment
[2] Asset Allocation for My Risk Tolerance
Learn More →
Protect Wealth
[1] Defensive Portfolios
[2] Tax-Efficient Strategies
Top 20 Holdings for MISL
Total Weights Top 5: 41.6% | Top 10: 61.7% | Top 20: 87.1%
| Ticker | Holding | ETF Weight | Sales Weight | Earnings Weight | Fwd P/S | Fwd P/E | Fwd Sales Growth | Fwd Earnings Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 98.46% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 3.2 | 36.4 | +10.3% | +14.7% | |
| Top 20 | 87.11% | 81.55% | 88.64% | 3.4 | 37.4 | +10.9% | +14.2% | |
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies | 10.36% | 0.55% | 3.40% | 38.6 | 95.6 | +49.3% | +40.0% |
| RTX | RTX | 8.58% | 9.60% | 10.02% | 3.0 | 29.0 | +7.4% | +8.7% |
| BA | Boeing | 7.85% | 14.53% | 4.75% | 1.7 | 96.5 | +14.8% | — |
| GE | GE Aerospace | 7.65% | 3.65% | 8.15% | 7.1 | 42.5 | +11.1% | +12.8% |
| SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies | 7.16% | 0.65% | — | 12.9 | 614.4 | +84.7% | — |
| LMT | Lockheed Martin | 4.32% | 8.57% | 8.82% | 1.7 | 19.0 | +5.7% | +7.1% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman | 4.01% | 7.46% | 9.86% | 1.8 | 19.7 | +6.9% | +4.0% |
| GD | General Dynamics | 3.96% | 7.32% | 7.55% | 1.9 | 21.7 | +4.8% | +8.9% |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace | 3.93% | 1.12% | 2.89% | 10.9 | 50.2 | +13.2% | +19.1% |
| HEI | Heico | 3.89% | 1.32% | 2.67% | 9.1 | 54.4 | +10.2% | +13.2% |
| LHX | L3Harris Technologies | 3.73% | 5.69% | 5.81% | 2.2 | 22.2 | +7.6% | +15.0% |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab | 3.70% | 0.20% | — | 42.7 | — | +43.3% | — |
| TDG | TransDigm | 3.55% | 1.78% | 4.77% | 6.3 | 26.4 | +10.1% | +17.3% |
| ASTS | AST SpaceMobile | 2.69% | 0.05% | — | 41.7 | — | +330.7% | — |
| CW | Curtiss-Wright | 2.59% | 1.32% | 2.47% | 6.5 | 42.3 | +8.1% | +9.8% |
| FTAI | FTAI Aviation | 2.23% | 1.12% | 2.25% | 4.3 | 22.0 | +59.6% | +101.8% |
| WWD | Woodward | 2.14% | 1.47% | 2.44% | 4.7 | 34.0 | +8.9% | +13.4% |
| LDOS | Leidos | 1.77% | 6.20% | 6.10% | 1.0 | 10.8 | +4.6% | +5.3% |
| TXT | Textron | 1.57% | 5.59% | 4.32% | 1.0 | 12.4 | +3.8% | +12.4% |
| CACI | CACI International | 1.44% | 3.37% | 2.38% | 1.4 | 21.1 | +6.3% | +13.9% |
[1] Total and Top 20 rows are weighted aggregates across constituents.
[2] Forward P/S and P/E ratios use consensus sales and earnings for the 12 months ending 8/31/27. Individual constituent FY1 and FY2 consensus figures adjusted to align with 8/31/27.
[3] Forward Sales and Non-GAAP Earnings Growth are calculated as next fiscal year (FY2) consensus growth over current fiscal year (FY1) consensus. They are not derived from the forward P/S and P/E multiples shown.
[2] Forward P/S and P/E ratios use consensus sales and earnings for the 12 months ending 8/31/27. Individual constituent FY1 and FY2 consensus figures adjusted to align with 8/31/27.
[3] Forward Sales and Non-GAAP Earnings Growth are calculated as next fiscal year (FY2) consensus growth over current fiscal year (FY1) consensus. They are not derived from the forward P/S and P/E multiples shown.
Performance for MISL Top Holdings
| Ticker | Holding | Weight | Mkt Price8/16 | 1D Rtn | 1M Rtn | YTD Rtn | 1Y Rtn | 3Y Rtn | 5Y Rtn | 10Y Rtn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISL | First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF | 100.00% | 48.03 | 0.0% | 12.9% | 12.2% | 24.8% | 114.2% | ||
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies | 10.36% | 174.04 | 0.0% | 31.5% | -2.1% | -1.8% | 1,130.0% | 626.1% | |
| RTX | RTX | 8.58% | 222.97 | 0.0% | 15.6% | 22.9% | 46.8% | 178.0% | 188.3% | 337.2% |
| BA | Boeing | 7.85% | 231.67 | 0.0% | 8.2% | 6.7% | -1.5% | 3.2% | 4.3% | 86.5% |
| GE | GE Aerospace | 7.65% | 368.38 | 0.0% | 5.6% | 19.9% | 38.2% | 322.8% | 490.6% | 170.6% |
| SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies | 7.16% | 140.00 | 0.0% | 12.9% | |||||
| LMT | Lockheed Martin | 4.32% | 608.68 | 0.0% | 19.6% | 27.3% | 42.9% | 47.7% | 92.6% | 210.5% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman | 4.01% | 585.87 | 0.0% | 12.3% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 43.5% | 72.3% | 215.3% |
| GD | General Dynamics | 3.96% | 395.78 | 0.0% | 7.4% | 19.1% | 28.4% | 88.9% | 120.5% | 222.5% |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace | 3.93% | 289.18 | 0.0% | 6.2% | 41.3% | 69.2% | 499.8% | 832.0% | 1,161.9% |
| HEI | Heico | 3.89% | 374.67 | 0.0% | 9.3% | 15.9% | 21.8% | 128.9% | 194.5% | 906.2% |
| LHX | L3Harris Technologies | 3.73% | 291.82 | 0.0% | 3.5% | 0.2% | 9.6% | 70.4% | 37.8% | 288.5% |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab | 3.70% | 80.25 | 0.0% | 18.7% | 15.0% | 81.3% | 1,343.3% | 700.1% | |
| TDG | TransDigm | 3.55% | 1,256.90 | 0.0% | 3.5% | -5.5% | -3.2% | 74.3% | 150.6% | 605.3% |
| ASTS | AST SpaceMobile | 2.69% | 70.98 | 0.0% | 22.8% | -2.3% | 47.6% | 1,720.0% | 758.3% | |
| CW | Curtiss-Wright | 2.59% | 699.31 | 0.0% | -1.2% | 26.9% | 43.7% | 251.4% | 496.5% | 714.1% |
| FTAI | FTAI Aviation | 2.23% | 217.13 | 0.0% | 4.9% | 10.9% | 51.2% | 562.3% | 1,014.0% | 3,782.2% |
| WWD | Woodward | 2.14% | 370.56 | 0.0% | -5.7% | 22.8% | 51.7% | 202.6% | 226.4% | 544.7% |
| LDOS | Leidos | 1.77% | 143.83 | 0.0% | 35.1% | -19.8% | -18.2% | 54.5% | 55.2% | 327.4% |
| TXT | Textron | 1.57% | 89.00 | 0.0% | -2.7% | 2.1% | 12.9% | 19.4% | 24.0% | 122.5% |
| CACI | CACI International | 1.44% | 670.54 | 0.0% | 45.3% | 25.8% | 37.2% | 104.5% | 157.9% | 593.8% |
Guidance Updates for MISL Top Holdings
| Ticker | Company | Earnings Date | Guidance Metric | Midpoint Value | % Change | Guidance Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CACI_8052026 | CACI | CACI International | 8/5/2026 | 2027 Revenue | 10.75 Bil | 12.6% | Higher NewNew Guidance Higher than Prior Actual of 9.55 Bil for 2026 |
| HWM_8062026 | HWM | Howmet Aerospace | 8/6/2026 | Q3 2026 Revenue | 2.58 Bil | 7.3% | Higher NewNew Guidance Higher than Prior Actual of 2.40 Bil for Q2 2026 |
| PLTR_8032026 | PLTR | Palantir Technologies | 8/3/2026 | 2026 Revenue | 8.15 Bil | 6.5% | RaisedRaised Prior Guidance of 7.66 Bil for 2026 |
| RKLB_8102026 | RKLB | Rocket Lab | 8/10/2026 | Q3 2026 Revenue | 257.50 Mil | 10.8% | Higher NewNew Guidance Higher than Prior Actual of 232.50 Mil for Q2 2026 |
Price Returns Compared
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| MISL Return | - | 8% | 15% | 20% | 41% | 11% | 135% |
| Peers Return | 15% | -20% | 33% | 13% | 40% | 42% | 179% |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 14% | 108% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| MISL Win Rate | - | 100% | 58% | 58% | 83% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 58% | 45% | 62% | 58% | 67% | 72% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 50% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| MISL Max Drawdown | - | - | -10% | -10% | -16% | -17% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -20% | -37% | -19% | -18% | -26% | -18% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -5% | -25% | -10% | -8% | -19% | -9% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: SMH, SOXX, IBB, XBI, ITA.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 8/14/2026 (YTD)
Sharpe Ratios Compared
One measure of reward vs. risk is a Sharpe ratio. A higher ratio indicates better risk-adjusted returns. Most funds have Sharpe ratios < 1.0.
Results as of 7312026.
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Current Dip Buy Opportunities Across ETFs
ETFs currently down 5% or more from trailing 6M peaks.
| Ticker | Name | Dip % | Mkt Price | Price Date | Peak Price | Peak Date | # Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEMG | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | -5.6% | 81.19 | 8162026 | 86.00 | 6222026 | 55 |
| EEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | -6.5% | 66.61 | 8162026 | 71.21 | 6222026 | 55 |
| ASHR | Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF | -6.9% | 34.73 | 8162026 | 37.30 | 6222026 | 55 |
| EWY | iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | -18.0% | 179.74 | 8162026 | 219.20 | 6212026 | 56 |
| EWZ | iShares MSCI Brazil ETF | -18.7% | 33.93 | 8162026 | 41.73 | 4142026 | 124 |
| FXI | iShares China Large-Cap ETF | -10.1% | 34.89 | 8162026 | 38.81 | 2222026 | 175 |
| ILF | iShares Latin America 40 ETF | -11.8% | 33.60 | 8162026 | 38.10 | 4142026 | 124 |
| KWEB | KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF | -17.9% | 27.01 | 8162026 | 32.89 | 2182026 | 179 |
| MTUM | iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | -8.1% | 317.21 | 8162026 | 345.22 | 6222026 | 55 |
| SPMO | Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | -5.2% | 153.31 | 8162026 | 161.66 | 6222026 | 55 |
| URA | Global X Uranium ETF | -22.9% | 44.93 | 8162026 | 58.26 | 5062026 | 102 |
| BOTZ | Global X Funds Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF | -9.3% | 37.74 | 8162026 | 41.63 | 5132026 | 95 |
| ROBO | ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF | -6.1% | 84.83 | 8162026 | 90.34 | 6022026 | 75 |
| LIT | Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF | -17.9% | 75.23 | 8162026 | 91.62 | 5112026 | 97 |
| ICLN | iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | -23.3% | 18.21 | 8162026 | 23.75 | 6022026 | 75 |
| ARKQ | ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF | -9.3% | 130.39 | 8162026 | 143.82 | 5282026 | 80 |
| ARKX | ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF | -7.6% | 34.86 | 8162026 | 37.74 | 5282026 | 80 |
| NASA | Tema Space Innovators ETF | -37.0% | 26.38 | 8162026 | 41.89 | 5272026 | 81 |
| AGIX | KraneShares Artificial Intelligence ETF | -5.5% | 46.68 | 8162026 | 49.40 | 6012026 | 76 |
| XLC | State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF | -5.2% | 112.95 | 8162026 | 119.10 | 4192026 | 119 |
| XLU | State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | -6.5% | 44.31 | 8162026 | 47.40 | 3012026 | 168 |
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | -12.1% | 587.82 | 8162026 | 668.91 | 6222026 | 55 |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | -16.0% | 550.42 | 8162026 | 655.01 | 6222026 | 55 |
| MISL | First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF | -5.2% | 48.03 | 8162026 | 50.66 | 3022026 | 167 |
| RING | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | -21.1% | 78.46 | 8162026 | 99.42 | 3012026 | 168 |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | -15.1% | 97.74 | 8162026 | 115.11 | 6222026 | 55 |
| TLT | iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -8.0% | 82.04 | 8162026 | 89.15 | 3012026 | 168 |
| VGLT | Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -6.7% | 52.72 | 8162026 | 56.53 | 3012026 | 168 |
| SPTL | State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | -7.1% | 25.07 | 8162026 | 26.99 | 3012026 | 168 |
| TLH | iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF | -6.3% | 96.60 | 8162026 | 103.08 | 3012026 | 168 |
| EDV | Vanguard World Funds Extended Duration ETF | -11.8% | 59.43 | 8162026 | 67.42 | 3012026 | 168 |
| SPLB | State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF | -5.3% | 21.36 | 8162026 | 22.55 | 2192026 | 178 |
| PDBC | Invesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF | -5.3% | 17.91 | 8162026 | 18.91 | 5122026 | 96 |
| DBC | Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | -5.3% | 30.00 | 8162026 | 31.69 | 5122026 | 96 |
| COMT | iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | -8.1% | 33.59 | 8162026 | 36.53 | 5192026 | 89 |
| GSG | iShares GSCI Commodity | -5.8% | 30.01 | 8162026 | 31.85 | 3182026 | 151 |
| BCI | abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF | -5.2% | 24.55 | 8162026 | 25.91 | 5122026 | 96 |
| GLD | SPDR Gold Trust | -18.1% | 401.48 | 8162026 | 490.00 | 3022026 | 167 |
| IAU | iShares Gold Trust | -18.0% | 82.28 | 8162026 | 100.38 | 3022026 | 167 |
| GLDM | SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | -18.0% | 86.58 | 8162026 | 105.54 | 3022026 | 167 |
| SGOL | ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares | -12.1% | 44.66 | 8162026 | 50.81 | 3022026 | 167 |
| BAR | Direxion Daily Gold Bull 3X Shares | -15.6% | 44.34 | 8162026 | 52.53 | 3022026 | 167 |
| SLV | iShares Silver Trust | -31.2% | 58.48 | 8162026 | 84.99 | 3012026 | 168 |
| SIVR | ETFS Physical Silver Shares Trust ETF | -6.6% | 83.39 | 8162026 | 89.26 | 3012026 | 168 |
| PPLT | ETFS Physical Platinum Shares | -26.1% | 15.87 | 8162026 | 21.47 | 3012026 | 168 |
| CPER | United States Copper Index Fund ETV | -9.6% | 33.33 | 8162026 | 36.88 | 3012026 | 168 |
| PALL | ETFS Physical Palladium Shares | -26.5% | 23.93 | 8162026 | 32.54 | 2242026 | 173 |
| USO | United States Oil Fund LP | -17.2% | 126.60 | 8162026 | 152.96 | 5192026 | 89 |
| UNG | United States Natural Gas Fund LP | -23.9% | 9.92 | 8162026 | 13.04 | 3122026 | 157 |
| BNO | United States Brent Oil Fund LP ETV | -7.1% | 55.85 | 8162026 | 60.13 | 5042026 | 104 |
| IBIT | iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -23.3% | 35.63 | 8162026 | 46.47 | 5112026 | 97 |
| FBTC | Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund | -23.3% | 54.74 | 8162026 | 71.35 | 5112026 | 97 |
| ETHA | iShares Ethereum Trust ETF | -22.9% | 14.18 | 8162026 | 18.38 | 4192026 | 119 |
ETF Fund Flows
Largest fund inflows and outflows across ETFs, with the asset-allocation rotation they imply.
Net fund flows · as of 2026-08-14
Asset allocation rotation · Past month
- Equity ETFs drew the largest net inflows (+$36.2B), followed by Bond (+$15.4B), with every major asset class in net inflows.
- Within the mix, money rotated into US Nasdaq Growth (+$9.7B) and out of Industry Subsector (−$5.4B).
- Relative to fund size, FINA drew the largest inflow (+46.8% of AUM) and FTXL the largest outflow (−66.7%).
Largest inflows
| # | Ticker | Name | Net flow | % of AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | +$12.17B | +1.2% |
| 2 | QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | +$6.57B | +1.4% |
| 3 | SPYM | State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | +$5.51B | +3.4% |
| 4 | SGOV | iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | +$4.66B | +4.7% |
| 5 | TLT | iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | +$4.23B | +10.0% |
| 6 | VTI | Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | +$3.77B | +0.6% |
| 7 | SCHD | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | +$3.54B | +3.4% |
| 8 | QQQM | Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | +$3.17B | +3.2% |
| 9 | EWY | iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | +$3.16B | +12.6% |
| 10 | GLD | SPDR Gold Shares | +$2.94B | +2.2% |
Largest outflows
| # | Ticker | Name | Net flow | % of AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | -$13.57B | -1.5% |
| 2 | IEF | iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | -$4.12B | -8.7% |
| 3 | SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | -$4.1B | -9.2% |
| 4 | IWM | iShares Russell 2000 ETF | -$1.64B | -2.0% |
| 5 | IWF | iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | -$1.33B | -1.1% |
| 6 | LQD | iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | -$1.27B | -3.8% |
| 7 | IWR | iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF | -$1.18B | -2.1% |
| 8 | VO | Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF | -$1.09B | -1.0% |
| 9 | FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | -$909M | -66.7% |
| 10 | VUG | Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | -$817M | -0.4% |
Largest ETF fund flows across ~2616 funds (min AUM $100M). Net creations/redemptions; leveraged & inverse ETFs excluded. A ⚠ marks a day excluded as a suspected data error.
About MISL
| Holdings Count: 49Expense Ratio: 0.6%Inception Date: 2022-10-25 | First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETFThe First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF aims to mirror the financial performance, specifically the capital appreciation and income generation, of the Indxx US Aerospace & Defense Index, before factoring in its operational costs. Typically, under ordinary market circumstances, the Fund allocates a minimum of 80% of its net assets, including any capital acquired through borrowing, to the equity securities composing that benchmark index.Asset Class: Sector Equity | ETF Website |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons
| Peers to compare with: |
Profile
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Asset Class | - |
| AUM ($ Bil) | 12.9 |
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% |
| 10-D Avg Volume (Mil) | 5.05 |
| Latest Day Volume (Mil) | 5.98 |
| Holdings Count | 49 |
| Inception Date | - |
Fundamentals
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Net Asset Value | - |
| Premium/Discount | 0.0% |
| Distribution Yield | 0.2% |
| Sales Yield | 10.7% |
| Earnings Yield | 2.1% |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |
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