APRP vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

APRP (PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - APRP is a Options Trading fund actively managed by PGIM, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, APRP returned 15.50% vs 240.03% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.47, they often move in opposite directions. APRP charges 0.50%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

APRP vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) 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, APRP achieves a 9.79% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -27.96% return.

APRP

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.84%
• 6M: 9.36%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 1Y: 15.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMST

• 1D: 5.26%
• 1M: 44.38%
• 6M: -15.07%
• YTD: -27.96%
• 1Y: 240.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APRP vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
APRP PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April	9.79%	7.80%	4.42%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-27.96%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between APRP and SMST is -0.49, 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	-0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.47

Return for Risk

APRP vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

APRP

APRP Risk / Return Rank: 78
APRP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
APRP Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
APRP Omega Ratio Rank: 96
APRP Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
APRP Martin Ratio Rank: 97

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 60
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

APRP vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) 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.

	APRP	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.62	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.33	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.30	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	2.83	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.44	5.47	+26.96

APRP vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APRP Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APRP 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

APRP vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APRP drawdown since its inception was -13.66%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APRP and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	APRP	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.66%	-99.25%	+85.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.07%	-85.39%	+79.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-97.17%	+96.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.21%	-90.89%	+89.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	44.09%	-43.61%

Volatility

APRP vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM US Large-Cap Buffer 12 ETF - April (APRP) is 8.44%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.59%. This indicates that APRP 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

	APRP	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.44%	56.59%	-48.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	135.88%	-126.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.32%	149.23%	-139.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.80%	167.74%	-156.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.80%	167.74%	-156.94%

APRP vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

APRP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

APRP vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

Neither APRP nor SMST has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APRP and SMST in my portfolio?

APRP and SMST have a correlation of -0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APRP or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.59%) compared to APRP (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APRP dropped -13.66% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, APRP or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 240.03% vs 15.50% for APRP. On fees, APRP is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, APRP has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APRP or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 240.03% return vs 15.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APRP or SMST?

APRP is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

APRP and SMST have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between APRP and SMST?

APRP is categorized as Options Trading, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for APRP and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APRP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.62), 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.