VettaFi Acquired SPADE Defense Index for ETF Platform
The acquisition adds a 21-year-old defense sector benchmark to VettaFi's $11 billion aerospace and defense portfolio.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Investing
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VettaFi, a subsidiary of TMX Group, has acquired the long-standing SPADE Defense Index. This benchmark currently serves as the foundation for the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF.
Why it matters
The deal consolidates defense-focused investment tracking under a single platform, integrating a 21-year-old index into VettaFi's broader lineup. This move expands the firm's reach in providing institutional-grade exposure to the national defense and security supply chain.
The SPADE Defense Index has operated for 21 years as a benchmark, while VettaFi now manages over $11 billion in assets across its global aerospace and defense franchise.
The players
VettaFi
A financial data and indexing company that creates benchmarks for exchange-traded products.
Invesco
An investment management firm that offers a wide range of exchange-traded funds for retail and institutional investors.
TMX Group
The parent company of VettaFi that operates financial markets and exchanges in Canada and globally.
The details
VettaFi plans to integrate the SPADE Defense Index, which tracks companies involved in national defense and security, into its existing indexing platform. This index acts as the underlying benchmark for the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, traded under the ticker PPA. The integration is intended to centralize index methodology management while maintaining the benchmark's role for investors seeking security sector exposure.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: VettaFi announced the acquisition of the SPADE Defense Index.
Money Landscape
The acquisition reflects the ongoing consolidation of index providers as firms seek to capture more of the market for institutional-grade sector benchmarks. It marks a shift in the oversight of defense-sector tracking as assets under such indices continue to grow in the retail ETF space.
If you hold the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA), this change in underlying ownership does not immediately impact the fund's strategy or fees. You should continue to monitor the fund's performance against its stated objectives and consult a financial professional regarding your holdings.
The takeaway
The acquisition brings a veteran defense index under a new parent company, centralizing the management of long-term security sector benchmarks. Investors in defense-focused ETFs should review their fund's prospectus periodically to remain updated on any changes to index methodology or fund providers.
Further reading
Learn more about evaluating Investing trends and benchmark performance.
More information
For more information on the firm's indexing capabilities, visit the VettaFi company information portal.
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