AGOX vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

AGOX (Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGOX is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by Adaptive Funds, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AGOX returned 22.18% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.39, they often move in opposite directions. AGOX charges 1.33%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

AGOX vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF (AGOX) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGOX achieves a 20.73% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -31.56% return.

AGOX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -1.60%
• 6M: 15.05%
• YTD: 20.73%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 8.58%
• 10Y*: —

SMST

• 1D: -1.67%
• 1M: 37.17%
• 6M: -24.18%
• YTD: -31.56%
• 1Y: 223.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGOX vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AGOX Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF	20.73%	8.58%	-4.13%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AGOX and SMST is -0.35, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.39

Return for Risk

AGOX vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGOX

AGOX Risk / Return Rank: 39
AGOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AGOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AGOX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
AGOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AGOX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 53
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 38

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGOX vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF (AGOX) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AGOX	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.37	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	2.22	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.29	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	2.39	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.07	4.64	+0.43

AGOX vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGOX and SMST, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AGOX vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGOX drawdown since its inception was -26.93%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGOX and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGOX	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.93%	-99.25%	+72.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.32%	-85.39%	+70.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.82%	-97.31%	+94.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.06%	-90.88%	+82.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	43.98%	-39.73%

Volatility

AGOX vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF (AGOX) is 5.97%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that AGOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGOX	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	56.47%	-50.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.51%	135.94%	-119.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.88%	149.09%	-130.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.80%	167.87%	-148.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.66%	167.87%	-148.21%

AGOX vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGOX has a 1.33% expense ratio, which is higher than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGOX vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

AGOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AGOX Adaptive Alpha Opportunities ETF	2.67%	3.23%	3.94%	0.27%	0.20%	6.36%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGOX and SMST in my portfolio?

AGOX and SMST have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGOX or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to AGOX (5.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGOX dropped -26.93% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, AGOX or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs 22.18% for AGOX. On fees, SMST is cheaper at 1.29% per year. On volatility, AGOX has been the lower-risk option at 5.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGOX or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs 22.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGOX or SMST?

SMST is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.33% for AGOX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGOX or SMST?

AGOX has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between AGOX and SMST?

AGOX is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Adaptive Funds and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.33% for AGOX and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs 1.14), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.