Honestly, if you’ve been watching the tickers lately, the aerospace sector is basically on fire. Everyone is talking about the ITA stock price today because, let’s be real, it’s not every day you see a defense-heavy ETF hitting record territory while the broader market is still trying to find its footing.
As of the market close on Friday, January 16, 2026—since today is Sunday and the markets are taking a breather—the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) is sitting pretty at $243.77. That is a solid 1.06% jump from the previous session.
What’s wild is the momentum. Just look at the 52-week range. We’re talking about a low of $129.14 and a fresh high of $244.76. If you’d bought in a year ago, you’d be looking at a gain of over 60%. Not exactly "boring" defense stocks anymore, right?
What’s Actually Moving the ITA Stock Price Today?
It’s not just one thing. It’s a mix of massive government spending and some pretty dramatic geopolitical headlines.
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First, the $1.5 trillion military budget proposal from the Trump administration has sent shockwaves through the sector. When that kind of money gets dangled in front of companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, investors don’t just walk—they run. Then you’ve got the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and ongoing tensions that keep "defense" at the top of every national priority list.
The Heavy Hitters in the Portfolio
When you buy ITA, you aren't just buying "a stock." You're buying a basket of the biggest names in the sky.
- GE Aerospace: Taking up about 20% of the fund.
- RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon): Roughly 15% of the weight.
- Boeing: Despite all their headlines, they still hold about 8% of this ETF.
- Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman: The backbone of the U.S. military-industrial complex.
Basically, if the U.S. is building a plane, a missile, or a satellite, the companies inside ITA are the ones getting paid for it.
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Why People Are Flocking to Defense ETFs Right Now
It’s kinda simple: certainty.
In a world where tech valuations feel speculative (looking at you, AI), defense feels "real." Governments don't usually cancel fighter jet contracts just because the economy had a bad quarter. This "earnings durability," as the analysts at Argent Financial Group call it, is exactly why ITA is outperforming the S&P 500 so far in 2026.
Wait, there’s a catch.
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Some folks think the market is getting too optimistic. If that $1.5 trillion budget gets trimmed in Congress, or if geopolitical tensions suddenly cool down (which seems unlikely but hey, anything’s possible), the "surge" could stall.
The Numbers You Need to Know
If you’re the type who likes the nitty-gritty, here’s how the last few days played out:
On January 16, the ETF opened at $242.20. It hit a high of $244.61 before settling at $243.77.
The volume was heavy, too—over 1.7 million shares traded hands.
Compare that to its 10-day average of about 1.3 million, and it’s clear there’s a lot of "big money" moving in.
Is it a "Buy" or "Avoid"?
Well, that depends on who you ask.
Market Edge recently gave it a "Neutral" to "Avoid" rating based on how overbought it looks. On the flip side, many analysts on Wall Street are still "Bullish" because the fundamental demand for defense tech isn't going away.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Portfolio
If you’re looking at the ITA stock price today and wondering what to do, here are three things to consider right now:
- Check Your Overlap: If you already own GE or RTX, buying ITA might make you way too heavy in aerospace. Check your total exposure before jumping in.
- Watch the Budget Votes: The $1.5 trillion figure is a proposal. The actual "win" for these stocks happens when the checks are signed. Keep an eye on Senate Appropriations Committee news.
- Consider the Yield: ITA isn’t just for growth; it pays a quarterly dividend. The current yield is around 0.55% to 0.63%. It’s not a "high-yield" play, but it’s a nice little bonus for holding.
Keep a close eye on the $244.76 resistance level. If it breaks through that next week, we might be looking at a whole new floor for the sector.