CWEB vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

CWEB (Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CWEB is a China Equities fund tracking the CSI China Overseas Internet Index (200%), while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. CWEB is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, CWEB returned -40.66% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.31, they often move in opposite directions. CWEB charges 1.30%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

CWEB vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares (CWEB) 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, CWEB achieves a -44.59% return, which is significantly lower than SMST's -31.56% return.

CWEB

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -1.85%
• 6M: -49.69%
• YTD: -44.59%
• 1Y: -40.66%
• 3Y*: -14.15%
• 5Y*: -41.83%
• 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)

CWEB vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CWEB Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares	-44.59%	29.04%	18.82%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

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

Return for Risk

CWEB vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWEB

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

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.

CWEB vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares (CWEB) 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.

	CWEB	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	1.37	-2.12
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	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.60	2.39	-2.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.10	4.64	-5.74

CWEB vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWEB Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWEB 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

CWEB vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWEB drawdown since its inception was -98.18%, roughly equal to the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWEB and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWEB	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.18%	-99.25%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.36%	-85.39%	+16.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-94.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.74%	-97.31%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.80%	-90.88%	+25.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.65%	43.98%	-6.33%

Volatility

CWEB vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares (CWEB) is 15.59%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that CWEB 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

	CWEB	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.59%	56.47%	-40.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.12%	135.94%	-94.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.01%	149.09%	-94.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	94.36%	167.87%	-73.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.44%	167.87%	-87.43%

CWEB vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWEB has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWEB vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

CWEB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.55%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWEB Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares	6.55%	2.77%	4.59%	2.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%	1.59%	2.98%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CWEB and SMST in my portfolio?

CWEB and SMST have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CWEB or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to CWEB (15.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWEB dropped -98.18% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, CWEB or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs -40.66% for CWEB. On fees, SMST is cheaper at 1.29% per year. On volatility, CWEB has been the lower-risk option at 15.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CWEB or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs -40.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CWEB or SMST?

SMST is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.30% for CWEB.

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

CWEB has the higher dividend yield at 6.55%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between CWEB and SMST?

CWEB is categorized as China Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for CWEB and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.75), 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.