First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL)
Market Price (8/26/2026): $44.71
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL)
Market Price (8/26/2026): $44.71
Key Takeaways
- MISL has returned +3.8% YTD vs +12.6% for SPY; +14.9% over the past 12 months (SPY +20.2%). details →
- Priced in gold, MISL has returned -20.2% over the past 3 years, vs +96.9% in dollars — its dollar gains have lagged gold. details →
- Over the past month, MISL has seen net outflows of −$22M (−2.9% of assets). details →
- MISL's portfolio trades at 33.1x forward earnings — a 316% premium to SPY (8.0x). details →
- MISL's top 10 holdings represent 63% of the fund vs 37% for SPY — a more concentrated portfolio. details →
Asset Allocation with MISL
Moderate — 55% equity / 25% bonds / 20% alternatives
10Y Return (ann.)
+7.9%
Volatility
7.9%
Sharpe
0.65
YTD
+4.7%
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: 42.2% | Top 10: 62.5% | Top 20: 87.5%
| Ticker | Holding | ETF Weight | Sales Weight | Earnings Weight | Fwd P/S | Fwd P/E | Fwd Sales Growth | Fwd Earnings Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 99.70% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 2.9 | 33.1 | +11.1% | +16.1% | |
| Top 20 | 87.48% | 80.15% | 87.09% | 3.2 | 34.2 | +11.9% | +16.3% | |
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies | 11.08% | 0.54% | 3.33% | 38.1 | 94.9 | +49.5% | +40.0% |
| RTX | RTX | 8.53% | 9.21% | 9.60% | 2.8 | 27.1 | +7.4% | +8.8% |
| GE | GE Aerospace | 7.60% | 3.47% | 7.75% | 6.7 | 40.3 | +11.1% | +12.8% |
| BA | Boeing | 7.56% | 13.98% | 4.56% | 1.5 | 95.0 | +14.8% | — |
| SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies | 7.42% | 0.62% | — | 9.7 | 211.7 | +139.0% | +260.6% |
| LMT | Lockheed Martin | 4.30% | 8.49% | 8.73% | 1.5 | 17.4 | +5.7% | +6.9% |
| GD | General Dynamics | 4.09% | 7.23% | 7.44% | 1.8 | 20.6 | +4.9% | +9.0% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman | 4.06% | 7.42% | 9.79% | 1.7 | 18.1 | +6.9% | +4.1% |
| HEI | Heico | 4.01% | 1.32% | 2.67% | 8.5 | 50.8 | +10.2% | +13.2% |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace | 3.88% | 1.10% | 2.84% | 9.6 | 43.3 | +13.3% | +20.6% |
| TDG | TransDigm | 3.71% | 1.78% | 4.76% | 6.0 | 24.8 | +10.1% | +17.5% |
| LHX | L3Harris Technologies | 3.61% | 5.56% | 5.68% | 2.0 | 20.1 | +7.0% | +15.0% |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab | 3.36% | 0.20% | — | 33.8 | — | +46.0% | — |
| ASTS | AST SpaceMobile | 2.60% | 0.05% | — | 34.9 | — | +351.0% | — |
| CW | Curtiss-Wright | 2.44% | 1.30% | 2.42% | 5.6 | 36.6 | +8.2% | +10.2% |
| FTAI | FTAI Aviation | 2.19% | 1.09% | 2.18% | 3.7 | 18.9 | +65.6% | +134.5% |
| WWD | Woodward | 2.13% | 1.45% | 2.41% | 4.3 | 31.2 | +8.9% | +12.3% |
| LDOS | Leidos | 1.87% | 6.39% | 6.27% | 0.9 | 10.1 | +4.7% | +4.6% |
| TXT | Textron | 1.53% | 5.43% | 4.19% | 0.9 | 11.4 | +3.7% | +12.4% |
| CACI | CACI International | 1.51% | 3.51% | 2.47% | 1.2 | 17.7 | +6.7% | +12.3% |
[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 Price8/25 | 1D Rtn | 1M Rtn | YTD Rtn | 1Y Rtn | 3Y Rtn | 5Y Rtn | 10Y Rtn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISL | First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF | 100.00% | 44.41 | -0.4% | 2.1% | 3.8% | 14.9% | 96.9% | ||
| PLTR | Palantir Technologies | 11.08% | 172.73 | -1.8% | 40.5% | -2.8% | 9.9% | 1,088.8% | 594.5% | |
| RTX | RTX | 8.53% | 210.28 | 0.5% | -0.9% | 15.9% | 36.6% | 163.6% | 176.2% | 320.1% |
| GE | GE Aerospace | 7.60% | 349.54 | 2.3% | -1.2% | 13.8% | 31.8% | 297.6% | 450.9% | 158.4% |
| BA | Boeing | 7.56% | 211.08 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -2.8% | -7.0% | -5.5% | -2.5% | 73.5% |
| SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies | 7.42% | 137.95 | 2.2% | 19.9% | |||||
| LMT | Lockheed Martin | 4.30% | 556.52 | -1.4% | -4.5% | 16.4% | 27.7% | 33.7% | 76.1% | 196.6% |
| GD | General Dynamics | 4.09% | 376.58 | -1.9% | -2.6% | 13.3% | 19.8% | 78.7% | 110.1% | 208.5% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman | 4.06% | 542.52 | -1.2% | 0.1% | -4.1% | -6.1% | 32.2% | 60.4% | 199.2% |
| HEI | Heico | 4.01% | 351.05 | -0.5% | 0.4% | 8.6% | 15.1% | 111.5% | 178.6% | 905.8% |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace | 3.88% | 264.04 | 0.3% | -8.7% | 29.0% | 54.5% | 452.6% | 731.7% | 1,104.1% |
| TDG | TransDigm | 3.71% | 1,192.60 | -0.5% | -3.6% | -10.3% | -8.3% | 61.3% | 141.4% | 570.2% |
| LHX | L3Harris Technologies | 3.61% | 262.17 | -0.3% | -12.7% | -10.0% | -3.5% | 55.9% | 23.5% | 248.2% |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab | 3.36% | 66.91 | -2.0% | 4.7% | -4.1% | 41.7% | 1,055.6% | 571.8% | |
| ASTS | AST SpaceMobile | 2.60% | 62.01 | -0.5% | 10.3% | -14.6% | 24.0% | 1,553.6% | 459.7% | |
| CW | Curtiss-Wright | 2.44% | 609.71 | -0.9% | -18.7% | 10.7% | 27.5% | 198.8% | 419.0% | 608.3% |
| FTAI | FTAI Aviation | 2.19% | 200.47 | 1.0% | -7.0% | 2.4% | 35.8% | 489.0% | 906.1% | 3,372.0% |
| WWD | Woodward | 2.13% | 339.66 | 2.0% | -18.9% | 12.6% | 38.6% | 173.6% | 189.6% | 480.7% |
| LDOS | Leidos | 1.87% | 134.54 | -2.8% | 20.0% | -25.0% | -25.1% | 45.3% | 46.6% | 298.8% |
| TXT | Textron | 1.53% | 81.80 | -0.4% | -14.4% | -6.1% | 1.4% | 9.1% | 14.6% | 102.5% |
| CACI | CACI International | 1.51% | 612.10 | -3.8% | 25.7% | 14.9% | 26.3% | 88.2% | 138.5% | 520.2% |
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% | 4% | 120% |
| Peers Return | 15% | -20% | 33% | 13% | 40% | 38% | 171% |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 12% | 104% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| MISL Win Rate | - | 100% | 58% | 58% | 83% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 58% | 45% | 62% | 58% | 67% | 70% | |
| 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 8/25/2026 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IWF | iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | -5.4% | 121.83 | 8252026 | 128.77 | 6012026 | 85 |
| VONG | Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | -5.2% | 125.43 | 8252026 | 132.35 | 6012026 | 85 |
| EEM | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | -5.6% | 67.25 | 8252026 | 71.21 | 6222026 | 64 |
| ASHR | Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF | -8.6% | 34.08 | 8252026 | 37.30 | 6222026 | 64 |
| EWY | iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | -17.8% | 180.15 | 8252026 | 219.20 | 6212026 | 65 |
| EWZ | iShares MSCI Brazil ETF | -14.0% | 35.88 | 8252026 | 41.73 | 4142026 | 133 |
| FXI | iShares China Large-Cap ETF | -7.4% | 35.56 | 8252026 | 38.42 | 2252026 | 181 |
| ILF | iShares Latin America 40 ETF | -7.6% | 35.21 | 8252026 | 38.10 | 4142026 | 133 |
| KWEB | KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF | -18.1% | 26.41 | 8252026 | 32.25 | 2242026 | 182 |
| MTUM | iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | -12.4% | 302.40 | 8252026 | 345.22 | 6222026 | 64 |
| SPMO | Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | -8.8% | 147.41 | 8252026 | 161.66 | 6222026 | 64 |
| URA | Global X Uranium ETF | -17.4% | 48.14 | 8252026 | 58.26 | 5062026 | 111 |
| BOTZ | Global X Funds Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF | -13.9% | 35.85 | 8252026 | 41.63 | 5132026 | 104 |
| ROBO | ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF | -10.4% | 80.93 | 8252026 | 90.34 | 6022026 | 84 |
| LIT | Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF | -16.4% | 76.59 | 8252026 | 91.62 | 5112026 | 106 |
| ICLN | iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | -25.7% | 17.65 | 8252026 | 23.75 | 6022026 | 84 |
| ARKQ | ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF | -14.7% | 122.74 | 8252026 | 143.82 | 5282026 | 89 |
| ARKX | ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF | -13.9% | 32.49 | 8252026 | 37.74 | 5282026 | 89 |
| NASA | Tema Space Innovators ETF | -43.4% | 23.69 | 8252026 | 41.89 | 5272026 | 90 |
| AGIX | KraneShares Artificial Intelligence ETF | -9.5% | 44.69 | 8252026 | 49.40 | 6012026 | 85 |
| VGT | Vanguard Information Technology ETF | -6.5% | 117.51 | 8252026 | 125.62 | 6022026 | 84 |
| XLK | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | -8.3% | 181.74 | 8252026 | 198.21 | 6022026 | 84 |
| XLU | State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | -8.6% | 43.31 | 8252026 | 47.40 | 3012026 | 177 |
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | -16.9% | 555.82 | 8252026 | 668.91 | 6222026 | 64 |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | -21.5% | 514.06 | 8252026 | 655.01 | 6222026 | 64 |
| ITA | iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -7.5% | 234.30 | 8252026 | 253.22 | 8162026 | 9 |
| IGV | iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | -5.4% | 101.85 | 8252026 | 107.70 | 6012026 | 85 |
| MISL | First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF | -12.3% | 44.41 | 8252026 | 50.66 | 3022026 | 176 |
| RING | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | -6.3% | 93.17 | 8252026 | 99.42 | 3012026 | 177 |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | -20.8% | 91.19 | 8252026 | 115.11 | 6222026 | 64 |
| TLT | iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -6.4% | 83.47 | 8252026 | 89.15 | 3012026 | 177 |
| VGLT | Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -5.3% | 53.56 | 8252026 | 56.53 | 3012026 | 177 |
| SPTL | State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | -5.6% | 25.47 | 8252026 | 26.99 | 3012026 | 177 |
| EDV | Vanguard World Funds Extended Duration ETF | -9.2% | 61.22 | 8252026 | 67.42 | 3012026 | 177 |
| COMT | iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | -6.9% | 34.00 | 8252026 | 36.53 | 5192026 | 98 |
| GSG | iShares GSCI Commodity | -5.8% | 30.01 | 8252026 | 31.85 | 3182026 | 160 |
| GLD | SPDR Gold Trust | -12.6% | 428.07 | 8252026 | 490.00 | 3022026 | 176 |
| IAU | iShares Gold Trust | -12.6% | 87.76 | 8252026 | 100.38 | 3022026 | 176 |
| GLDM | SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | -12.5% | 92.35 | 8252026 | 105.54 | 3022026 | 176 |
| SGOL | ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares | -12.1% | 44.66 | 8252026 | 50.81 | 3022026 | 176 |
| BAR | Direxion Daily Gold Bull 3X Shares | -15.6% | 44.34 | 8252026 | 52.53 | 3022026 | 176 |
| SLV | iShares Silver Trust | -26.7% | 62.32 | 8252026 | 84.99 | 3012026 | 177 |
| SIVR | ETFS Physical Silver Shares Trust ETF | -6.6% | 83.39 | 8252026 | 89.26 | 3012026 | 177 |
| PPLT | ETFS Physical Platinum Shares | -21.5% | 16.86 | 8252026 | 21.47 | 3012026 | 177 |
| CPER | United States Copper Index Fund ETV | -9.6% | 33.33 | 8252026 | 36.88 | 3012026 | 177 |
| PALL | ETFS Physical Palladium Shares | -25.3% | 24.32 | 8252026 | 32.54 | 2242026 | 182 |
| USO | United States Oil Fund LP | -17.5% | 126.15 | 8252026 | 152.96 | 5192026 | 98 |
| UNG | United States Natural Gas Fund LP | -21.5% | 10.23 | 8252026 | 13.04 | 3122026 | 166 |
| BNO | United States Brent Oil Fund LP ETV | -7.1% | 55.85 | 8252026 | 60.13 | 5042026 | 113 |
ETF Fund Flows
Largest fund inflows and outflows across ETFs, with the asset-allocation rotation they imply.
Net fund flows · as of 2026-08-25
Asset allocation rotation · Past month
- Equity ETFs drew the largest net inflows (+$58.0B), followed by Bond (+$20.2B), while Real Estate (−$140M) saw the largest outflows.
- Within the mix, money rotated into US Nasdaq Growth (+$15.7B) and out of Broad Sector (−$2.9B).
- Relative to fund size, CNEQ drew the largest inflow (+102.0% of AUM) and FTXL the largest outflow (−63.2%).
Largest inflows
| # | Ticker | Name | Net flow | % of AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | +$22.54B | +2.2% |
| 2 | QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | +$12.3B | +2.5% |
| 3 | SGOV | iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | +$5.8B | +5.7% |
| 4 | GLD | SPDR Gold Shares | +$5.52B | +3.9% |
| 5 | SPYM | State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | +$4.72B | +2.8% |
| 6 | VTI | Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | +$4.71B | +0.7% |
| 7 | TLT | iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | +$4.24B | +9.4% |
| 8 | SCHD | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | +$3.85B | +3.6% |
| 9 | QQQM | Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | +$3.43B | +3.3% |
| 10 | AVLV | Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF | +$3.37B | +18.3% |
Largest outflows
| # | Ticker | Name | Net flow | % of AUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | -$14.81B | -1.7% |
| 2 | SPY | State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | -$4.99B | -0.6% |
| 3 | IEF | iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | -$4.34B | -10.1% |
| 4 | XLF | State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF | -$1.5B | -2.6% |
| 5 | XLE | State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | -$1.09B | -2.7% |
| 6 | EWZ | iShares MSCI Brazil ETF | -$891M | -10.3% |
| 7 | FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | -$835M | -63.2% |
| 8 | VUG | Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | -$834M | -0.4% |
| 9 | LQD | iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | -$782M | -2.4% |
| 10 | FV | First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF | -$754M | -20.0% |
Largest ETF fund flows across ~2624 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) | 12.8 |
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% |
| 10-D Avg Volume (Mil) | 5.13 |
| Latest Day Volume (Mil) | 8.26 |
| Holdings Count | 49 |
| Inception Date | - |
Fundamentals
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Net Asset Value | 520.00 |
| Premium/Discount | -1.0% |
| Distribution Yield | 0.2% |
| Sales Yield | 9.9% |
| Earnings Yield | 2.3% |
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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