SHLD: Defense Spending, Tech Upgrades And Geopolitics Keep Powering The Rally

SHLD benefits from structural geopolitical tensions and rising defense budgets, with Ukraine negotiations and EU decisions reinforcing long term demand for advanced military technology and equipment. Germany's €2.9B defense package highlights Europe's accelerated rearmament, boosting visibility for SHLD holdings such as Rheinmetall and Leonardo and strengthening the ETF's structural momentum. SHLD continues to outperform, rising nearly 71% in twelve months, supported by institutionalized spending, persistent conflict risks and sustained flows into defense technology names.

Seeking Alpha • Dec 12, 2025

Global Defense ETFs: Mapping the Opportunity

One of the most persistent themes this year has been global defense. Historically, it has been an industry that tends to shine when geopolitics drives the macro narrative.

ETF Trends • Dec 4, 2025

A $5B Tailwind: How Ukraine's Allies Are Poised to Boost Defense ETFs

NATO members' expected $5B weapon purchases by 2025-end should fuel momentum in defense ETFs like SHLD and ITA.

Zacks Investment Research • Dec 4, 2025

US Approves $93M Weapon Sale to India: A Boost for Defense ETFs

A $93 million US weapon sale to India puts the spotlight on defense stocks like LMT and, by extension, fuels momentum for defense ETFs like SHLD.

Zacks Investment Research • Nov 21, 2025

Defense Stocks And ETFs Such As SHLD Are Declining Today: Why?

Defense industry firms rise and fall in the short term when investors fear war or expect sudden peace.  Instead, look at the big picture: defense is essential to our survival. I prefer strategic investment in defense ETFs over picking individual stocks, due to complex contract allocation and political factors. My top picks include Global X Defense Tech ETF, Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF, and WisdomTree Europe Defense Fund ETF.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 19, 2025

SHLD: Defense-Tech ETF That's Priced To Perfection

Global X Defense Tech ETF has surged over 80% YTD, outperforming legacy defense ETFs like ITA due to its unique composition and global focus. SHLD excels by emphasizing tech-driven defense, broader geographic exposure—especially Europe—and a more diversified, growth-oriented portfolio than ITA. Despite higher fees and volatility, SHLD benefits from Europe's unprecedented rearmament cycle and the fusion of traditional and tech defense sectors.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 4, 2025

AI, Robotics, And Drones Have Changed Defense Firms Forever

Defense industry giants like Lockheed (LMT) and Raytheon (RTX) retain top spots, but innovative firms and European players are gaining ground. Boeing (BA) has fallen in defense revenue rankings, while newcomers like GE Aerospace (GE), SpaceX, and Palantir show strong growth potential. To capture defense innovation, I recommend ETFs such as SHLD, EUAD, and WDEF, with SHLD as a top pick for technology-driven exposure.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 3, 2025

This 1 Military ETF Trounced Even the QQQ by 4-to-1 This Year

Most investors who track the market start and end the year comparing every result to two yardsticks, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY ) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ ).

24/7 Wall Street • Oct 24, 2025

Disruptive Theme of the Week: Thematics Are Back! Should You Go With the Flow?

Ideally, thematic ETFs capture long-term secular investment themes not fully represented by broad market or sector-based approaches. The best thematic index implementations make use of quantifiable measures such as revenue and market share to identify companies with meaningful exposure to specific themes.

ETF Trends • Oct 21, 2025

Fragile Gaza Ceasefire Puts Defense ETFs in the Spotlight

A fragile Gaza ceasefire and renewed violence are fueling investor demand for defense ETFs like ITA, SHLD and PPA.

Zacks Investment Research • Oct 21, 2025