Key Highlights

  • The fund is actively managed and holds 153 positions in defense, aerospace and defense-related technology companies.
  • RTX, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics are the largest holdings by market value.
  • Net asset value is $29.65, following a one-day gain of $1.31, or 4.62%.
  • Net Assets total roughly $3.63 billion, with an expense ratio of 0.55%.

Defense budgets have become a regular subject in economic and policy coverage, and the iShares Defense Industrials and Tech Active ETF (NASDAQ:IDEF) offers a managed approach to that theme. Figures in this article are current to November 9, 2026. The fund seeks to maximize total return through active exposure to companies that fund management believes are positioned to benefit from rising defense and security spending, including defense contractors and technology firms serving national security applications. The fund trades on Nasdaq and launched in May 2025.

Fund Fact

Detail

Exchange and ticker

NASDAQ: IDEF

Fund inception

May 19, 2025

Net assets

$3.63 billion

Net asset value

$29.65

Daily NAV change

+$1.31 (+4.62%)

Expense ratio

0.55%

30-day SEC yield

0.36%

Distribution frequency

Semi-annual

Number of holdings

153

Defense Contractors Lead the Holdings

Traditional prime contractors anchor the portfolio. RTX accounts for about 7.3% of market value, followed by Lockheed Martin at 5.1% and General Dynamics at 4.4%. Northrop Grumman, Thales and Saab also feature, providing exposure to aircraft, missiles, naval systems and electronics across North America and Europe.

Technology names add a second layer. Palantir Technologies, Palo Alto Networks and Space Exploration Technologies appear among the top holdings, reflecting the fund’s focus on software, Cybersecurity and space systems that support government and defense customers.

Trading Activity and Price Behavior

The net asset value rose $1.31 in the latest session, or 4.62%. Shares outstanding total about 122.4 million, and the 30-day average Volume of roughly 739,000 shares indicates steady activity. The median bid-ask spread of 0.10% reflects moderate trading costs.

Because the fund is actively managed, its holdings may change more frequently than those of index-tracking products, and portfolio turnover can be higher. The composition is expected to shift over time as the management team responds to market conditions.

Costs and Risk Considerations

The expense ratio is 0.55%, consisting of a management fee of the same amount and no other material costs. The fund pays distributions semi-annually, and its 30-day SEC Yield of 0.36% points to a small income component.

The fund carries risks tied to concentration in defense and industrial sectors, government budget decisions and international exposure. Derivative use may add counterparty and liquidity risk, and active management does not guarantee that the fund will meet its objective.

Final Word

The iShares Defense Industrials and Tech Active ETF offers a focused, managed route to defense and national security spending across industrial and technology companies. Its active structure, sector concentration and modest income profile set it apart from passive funds. Investors considering a defense-themed holding will weigh the theme against their broader allocation and comfort with policy-driven sectors.