CLOA vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

CLOA (iShares AAA CLO Active ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CLOA is a CLO fund actively managed by BlackRock, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CLOA returned 5.10% vs 223.39% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. CLOA charges 0.20%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

CLOA vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) 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, CLOA achieves a 2.49% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -36.68% return.

CLOA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.33%
• 6M: 2.31%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 6.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMST

• 1D: -12.10%
• 1M: 26.91%
• 6M: -13.52%
• YTD: -36.68%
• 1Y: 223.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CLOA vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CLOA iShares AAA CLO Active ETF	2.49%	5.44%	2.36%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-36.68%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CLOA and SMST is -0.24, 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	-0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.16

Return for Risk

CLOA vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLOA

CLOA Risk / Return Rank: 99
CLOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Omega Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CLOA Martin Ratio Rank: 99

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 56
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

CLOA vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) 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.

	CLOA	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.64	1.51	+6.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	14.42	2.28	+12.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.47	1.30	+2.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	28.99	2.63	+26.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	152.61	5.07	+147.54

CLOA vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLOA Sharpe Ratio is 7.64, which is higher than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLOA 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

CLOA vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLOA drawdown since its inception was -1.34%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLOA and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLOA	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.34%	-99.25%	+97.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.18%	-85.39%	+85.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-97.51%	+97.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-90.91%	+90.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	44.25%	-44.22%

Volatility

CLOA vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) is 0.13%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 57.45%. This indicates that CLOA 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

	CLOA	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.13%	57.45%	-57.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.48%	136.03%	-135.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67%	149.51%	-148.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.30%	167.79%	-166.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.30%	167.79%	-166.49%

CLOA vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLOA has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

CLOA vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

CLOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CLOA iShares AAA CLO Active ETF	4.90%	5.35%	6.01%	5.88%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLOA and SMST in my portfolio?

CLOA and SMST have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLOA or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (57.45%) compared to CLOA (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLOA dropped -1.34% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, CLOA or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.39% vs 5.10% for CLOA. On fees, CLOA is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, CLOA has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CLOA or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.39% return vs 5.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CLOA or SMST?

CLOA is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

CLOA has the higher dividend yield at 4.90%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between CLOA and SMST?

CLOA is categorized as CLO, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for CLOA and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CLOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.64 vs 1.51), 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.