ETFs designed to provide targeted exposure to rising global defense spending and Asia’s next-generation of defense innovators
WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today announced the launches of the WisdomTree Global Defense Fund (WDGF) and the WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund (WDAF) on the NASDAQ, each with an expense ratio of 0.45%.
WDGF is designed to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Global Defense Index, which provides diversified exposure to defense companies around the globe, reflecting global defense spending growth and the reshoring of defense supply chains.
WDAF is designed to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Asia Defense Index, which targets leading defense firms in the Asia-Pacific region, as certain countries in that region significantly increase defense spending.
As geopolitical tensions escalate and strategic autonomy rises to the forefront of policy agendas, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and countries across the regions are rapidly increasing defense budgets to meet security imperatives and modernize capabilities. WDGF and WDAF provide differentiated, pure-play solutions for investors seeking targeted access to long-term defense spending trends on both a global and regional scale.
“As geopolitical tensions rise across multiple regions, defense has become a truly global investment theme,” said Sam Rines, Macro Strategist at WisdomTree. “With WDGF and WDAF, WisdomTree is giving investors two timely and differentiated solutions: one capturing the breadth of global defense spending growth and another focused squarely on the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific defense sector.”
WDGF and WDAF: What’s Under the Hood?
- Exclusive Focus on Defense: Both Funds target companies directly involved in aerospace, military equipment, and defense technology, offering purer exposure with minimal overlap with broader benchmarks.
- Seeks to Capture the Underinvestment Gap: European and Asian defense markets have historically lagged in investment; both Funds are positioned to benefit from renewed commitments to bolster military capabilities.
- Alignment with Geopolitical Trends: WDGF reflects NATO rearmament, Asia-Pacific modernization, and reshoring themes, while WDAF focuses on Asia’s strategic autonomy and advancements in defense technology.
- Targeted Exposure to Key Players: WDGF and WDAF portfolios include leaders in advanced weapon systems, aerospace, cybersecurity, and next-generation defense technologies such as AI, robotics, and hypersonics.
The launches of WDGF and WDAF expand WisdomTree’s suite of defense-focused products, following the introduction of the WisdomTree Europe Defense Fund (WDEF) in July 2025. Together, these Funds strengthen WisdomTree’s position as a leader in thematic investment strategies, offering investors timely, research-driven ways to align portfolios with the defense sector’s structural growth across key regions.
Read more about the WisdomTree Global and Asia Defense Funds (WDGF and WDAF) here.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Funds before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the Funds call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/investments. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
There are risks associated with investing in WDAF, including potential loss of principal. Foreign investing involves specific risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. Funds focusing their investments on certain sectors increase their vulnerability to any single economic or regulatory development. This may result in greater share price volatility. Because the Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies in Asia, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Asia and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Many countries in the region have historically faced political uncertainty, corruption, military intervention, and social unrest. To the extent that such events continue in the future, they can be expected to have an unpredictable effect on economic and securities market conditions in the region and may impact the ability of the Fund to buy, sell or otherwise transfer securities and cause the Fund to decline in value. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve political, regulatory, and economic risks that may not be present in investments in U.S. securities. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index. The Index may not perform as intended. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
There are risks associated with investing in WDGF, including potential loss of principal. Foreign investing involves specific risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. Funds focusing their investments on certain sectors increase their vulnerability to any single economic or regulatory development. This may result in greater share price volatility. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. Investments in non-U.S. securities involve political, regulatory, and economic risks that may not be present in investments in U.S. securities. Investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations, political or economic instability, or geographic events that adversely impact issuers of foreign securities. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments. These risks may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests in companies domiciled in or otherwise tied to developing or emerging market countries. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index. The Index may not perform as intended. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
WisdomTree Funds are distributed in the U.S. by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, is not affiliated with the other entities mentioned.
About WisdomTree
WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a diverse suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models and solutions, as well as digital asset-related products. Our offerings empower investors to shape their financial future and equip financial professionals to grow their businesses. Leveraging the latest financial infrastructure, we create products that emphasize access, transparency and provide an enhanced user experience. Building on our heritage of innovation, we offer next-generation digital products and services related to tokenized real world assets and stablecoins, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime® and institutional platform, WisdomTree Connect™.*
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Media Relations
WisdomTree, Inc.
Jessica Zaloom
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jzaloom@wisdomtree.com
Natasha Ramsammy
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nramsammy@wisdomtree.com / wisdomtree@fullyvested.com