AWAY vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

AWAY (ETFMG Travel Tech ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AWAY is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Prime Travel Technology Index, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. AWAY is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, AWAY returned -16.31% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.36, they often move in opposite directions. AWAY charges 0.75%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

AWAY vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) 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, AWAY achieves a -10.45% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -31.56% return.

AWAY

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 6.97%
• 6M: -12.09%
• YTD: -10.45%
• 1Y: -16.31%
• 3Y*: 1.72%
• 5Y*: -8.33%
• 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)

AWAY vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	-10.45%	-3.36%	16.21%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AWAY and SMST is -0.31, 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	-0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.36

Return for Risk

AWAY vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWAY

AWAY Risk / Return Rank: 4
AWAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
AWAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
AWAY Omega Ratio Rank: 3
AWAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
AWAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

AWAY vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) 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.

	AWAY	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.77	1.37	-2.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.98	2.22	-3.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.29	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	2.39	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.98	4.64	-5.61

AWAY vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWAY Sharpe Ratio is -0.77, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWAY 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

AWAY vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWAY drawdown since its inception was -56.57%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWAY and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWAY	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.57%	-99.25%	+42.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.83%	-85.39%	+52.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.83%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-45.98%	-97.31%	+51.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.40%	-90.88%	+54.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.80%	43.98%	-26.18%

Volatility

AWAY vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) is 7.28%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that AWAY 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

	AWAY	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.28%	56.47%	-49.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.06%	135.94%	-116.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.56%	149.09%	-126.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.87%	167.87%	-141.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.70%	167.87%	-136.17%

AWAY vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWAY has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWAY vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

Neither AWAY nor SMST has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWAY and SMST in my portfolio?

AWAY and SMST have a correlation of -0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWAY or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to AWAY (7.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWAY dropped -56.57% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, AWAY or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs -16.31% for AWAY. On fees, AWAY is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, AWAY has been the lower-risk option at 7.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AWAY or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs -16.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AWAY or SMST?

AWAY is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

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

What is the main difference between AWAY and SMST?

AWAY is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AWAY and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.77), 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.