
With actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) growing increasingly popular relative to traditional passive funds, investors may find that these ETFs can give an advantage when it comes to highly timely investment issues, such as those related to the ongoing Iran war. A key benefit of many active funds is that managers can make portfolio adjustments in real time and in response to developments in the market—many passively managed funds are linked to indices that may only be rebalanced periodically.
Investors do typically have to pay more in annual fees for active management, but actively managed funds may be well worth the additional cost if they are able to successfully generate stronger performance in a fast-moving investment landscape. To be sure, the conflict in Iran is exactly that type of scenario: with near-constant updates on the United States' goals and strategy, not to mention the major upheaval taking place within the energy market, defense stock investors must be nimble and responsive in order to make the best decisions from day to day. The active defense ETFs below may be a good place to start for those looking to outsource these moves.