Revenue distribution by industry:

• Aerospace: approx. 60%
• Defense: approx. 40%

TOP 3 markets and their percentage shares:

• USA: approx. 75%
• Europe: approx. 15%
• Asia-Pacific: approx. 10%

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) mainly invests in companies from the aerospace and defense sectors. The largest market for this ETF is the USA, attributed to the strong presence and demand of the US defense industry. Europe and the Asia-Pacific region are also significant markets, with Europe playing an important role due to the NATO member states and their defense budgets. The Asia-Pacific region is showing a growing interest in defense spending, reflected in the market shares.

iShares Trust - iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) is not a company, but an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

This ETF invests in a portfolio of companies in the aerospace, defense, and space industry in the United States. Therefore, the ETF itself does not produce any products, but holds shares in companies operating in these sectors.

The production sites vary depending on the specific companies in which the ETF invests. Typically, these companies have production facilities in the USA and possibly internationally, depending on their individual business strategy and market presence.

Current Status: No specific growth strategies available (2025)

iShares Trust - iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) is an exchange-traded fund and not an individual company. Therefore, the ETF itself does not pursue growth strategies but tracks the performance of an index focusing on companies in the aerospace, defense, and space industry.

The ETF invests in a variety of companies within this sector to provide a diversified portfolio. The growth of the ETF depends on the performance of the underlying companies, which are typically influenced by factors such as government defense spending, technological innovations, and geopolitical developments.

Investors who invest in this ETF benefit from the overall growth dynamics of the aerospace, defense, and space industry rather than a specific company strategy.

Main raw materials: Aluminum, titanium, composite materials

Countries of origin:

• Aluminum: Canada, Russia, China
• Titanium: Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan
• Composite materials: USA, Germany, Japan

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) invests in companies in the aerospace, defense, and space industries. These sectors are heavily dependent on specific raw materials such as aluminum and titanium, which are essential for the production of aircraft and defense systems.

Aluminum is often imported from Canada, which is one of the largest aluminum producers globally. Russia and China are also significant suppliers, with geopolitical factors that can influence trade relationships.

Titanium, another critical material, is mainly sourced from Japan, Russia, and Kazakhstan. These countries have significant titanium reserves and are leaders in the production and processing of this metal.

Composite materials, valued for their lightness and strength, are often produced in the USA itself but also imported from Germany and Japan. These materials are crucial for the manufacturing of modern aircraft and military equipment.

Market share: 18% in the Aerospace & Defense ETFs sector (2024) Expense ratio: 0.39% (2024)

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) is one of the leading ETFs in the aerospace and defense sector. With a market share of approximately 18% in this segment, the ETF demonstrates a strong market presence. The relatively low expense ratio of 0.39% provides a cost advantage over some competitors, making it attractive to cost-conscious investors.

The competitive advantage of the ETF lies in its broad diversification and the strong performance of the underlying companies, which benefit from increasing defense spending and technological innovations. Additionally, the ETF is managed by BlackRock, one of the largest asset managers globally, providing additional trust and stability.

Overall, the competitive advantage is to be considered solid, particularly due to the combination of market share, cost structure, and the support from a renowned asset manager.

Institutional Investor Share: Approximately 85% (estimated for 2025 based on historical data)

Insider Buys/Sells: No significant insider transactions known (estimated for 2025)

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) is a popular ETF that invests in companies in the aerospace, defense, and space industry. Historically, a large portion of the shares are held by institutional investors, reflecting the interest of large investment funds and pension funds in this stable and often defensive sector.

Insider transactions are less relevant for ETFs than for individual companies, as ETFs are a collection of stocks and are not directly influenced by company insiders. Therefore, there are usually no significant insider buys or sells that would directly impact the ETF.

Market share of iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA): 15% (estimated, 2025)

Top competitors and their market shares:

1. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR): 12%
2. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA): 10%
3. Fidelity MSCI Industrials Index ETF (FIDU): 8%
4. Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS): 7%
5. First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL): 5%

Moat Analysis:

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a significant moat due to its broad diversification and the strong brand recognition of iShares. These factors provide an advantage in terms of risk diversification and investor confidence. The ETF structure allows ITA to invest in a variety of companies within the aerospace and defense industry, minimizing the risk of individual company fluctuations.

Compared to competitors, ITA has an advantage due to its larger asset base, which enables better liquidity and tighter spreads. This can be particularly attractive for institutional investors.

However, some competitors, such as the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR), also have strong positions through specialized investment strategies and lower expense ratios, which can be advantageous for cost-conscious investors. Therefore, ITA's moat exists but is not insurmountable, as other ETFs can also offer competitive advantages through specific strategies and cost efficiency.

Industry Growth: 5.8% CAGR (2023-2028, Forecast) US Defense Spending: $858 billion USD (2023)

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) provides investors with access to a diversified portfolio of companies in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors. The industry benefits from stable and often increasing defense spending, especially in the USA, which amounted to approximately $858 billion USD in 2023. These expenditures are expected to continue to rise as geopolitical tensions and technological developments drive demand for advanced defense systems and technologies.

Additionally, the industry is strengthened by continuous innovation and the development of new technologies in the aerospace and space sectors. The forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% until 2028 indicates solid growth potential.

Overall, the ITA ETF could be an attractive investment opportunity for investors looking to benefit from the long-term growth prospects of the aerospace and defense industry. However, it is important to consider the specific risks of the industry, such as political changes and regulatory challenges.

Dividend Yield: 1.1% (estimated for 2025)
Payout Frequency: Quarterly

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) regularly pays dividends to its investors. The payout usually occurs quarterly and is based on the earnings of the companies included in the ETF, which mainly come from the aerospace and defense industry.

The reliability of dividend payment depends on the performance of the underlying companies. Historically, the ETF has had a relatively stable dividend payment, as the aerospace and defense industry tends to be less sensitive to economic cycles. This provides investors with a certain level of security regarding the payouts.

However, it is important to note that dividends are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year depending on economic conditions and the financial health of the companies included in the ETF.