While most investors are busy chasing the next AI hype stock or crypto moonshot, one ETF has been quietly delivering jaw-dropping returns — without the noise, without the hype, and without going viral.
What if I told you there’s an ETF that surged over 82% in just one year…
Outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 3x…
And is riding the largest global defense spending wave since the Cold War?
Yet somehow, most retail investors have never even heard of it.
Meet SHLD — the Global X Defense Tech ETF.
This isn’t another speculative tech play. This is a structural mega-trend, powered by government budgets, policy mandates, and cutting-edge military technology — and it’s only getting started.
The Numbers That Make Wall Street Pay Attention
Let’s start with the facts — because numbers don’t lie.
Over the past year, SHLD delivered a staggering 82.43% return.
Put simply:
Invest $10,000 a year ago
Today, it would be worth over $18,200
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 returned roughly 24% over the same period.
Even more impressive?
SHLD’s market price return hit 82.89%, proving this wasn’t a statistical fluke or accounting trick.
And this isn’t some tiny, risky ETF either.
$3.47 billion in assets under management
Launched just 2 years ago (September 2023)
Already one of the largest thematic ETFs globally
When institutional money moves this fast, something big is happening.
Why This ETF Is Exploding (And Why It’s Not Hype)
This rally isn’t driven by social media trends or meme investors.
We’re witnessing a global defense supercycle — a structural shift in how countries invest in security.
Here’s why it matters:
Global defense spending hit $2.7 trillion in 2024
That’s a 9.4% year-over-year increase — the fastest since the Cold War
Analysts project spending to reach $3.6 trillion by 2030
This growth isn’t optional.
NATO now requires members to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, and many countries are still catching up. These are policy-locked budgets, not temporary reactions.
That means:
✔ Predictable revenue
✔ Long-term contracts
✔ Massive capital commitments
This Isn’t Old-School Defense — It’s Defense Technology
Here’s what most investors miss.
Modern defense spending isn’t just about tanks and fighter jets anymore.
It’s about:
AI-powered command systems
Autonomous drones
Advanced cybersecurity
Robotics and battlefield automation
Real-time data intelligence
And SHLD is positioned right at the center of this transformation.
Inside SHLD: High-Conviction, Global Exposure
SHLD holds 42 carefully selected companies, with its top 10 making up 62% of the portfolio — a sign of strong conviction investing.
Top holdings include:
Palantir Technologies (8.42%) — AI and data intelligence for governments
RTX Corporation (8.06%) — advanced aerospace and missile systems
Rheinmetall AG (7.82%) — Europe’s defense modernization leader
Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman
These aren’t just defense contractors — they are technology leaders shaping the future of warfare.
And SHLD isn’t limited to the US.
Geographic exposure includes:
🇺🇸 United States: 56.79%
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 9.65%
🇩🇪 Germany: 9.19%
🇰🇷 South Korea: 6.88%
🇫🇷 France: 5.28%
Plus exposure to Italy, Sweden, Israel, and Australia.
You’re investing in the entire global defense tech ecosystem, not just one country.
Risk, Volatility & The Honest Truth
Let’s be clear — SHLD is not a low-volatility index fund.
Standard deviation: 15.4%
Expense ratio: 0.5%
Sector-focused & non-diversified
Yes, volatility exists.
Yes, it’s a concentrated bet.
But this concentration is exactly why the returns have been so powerful.
The modernization of military technology isn’t tied to one conflict — it’s a long-term global necessity.
Why SHLD Is Different From Other Defense ETFs
Traditional defense ETFs focus on legacy contractors.
SHLD focuses on defense + technology.
Instead of just companies building aircraft, SHLD targets companies:
Developing AI to control them
Securing military networks
Creating autonomous systems
Transforming modern warfare
This is the next generation of defense investing.
The Bottom Line
SHLD offers exposure to:
A proven 82%+ annual return
A $3.6 trillion projected market
Strong policy support
Institutional capital
Cutting-edge technology
This isn’t speculation.
This is positioning early in a global mega-trend.
The real question isn’t whether defense technology will grow.
The question is whether you’ll be positioned — or watching from the sidelines.
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