ETU vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

ETU (T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETU is a Leveraged Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by REX Shares, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ETU returned -79.25% vs 223.39% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.68, they often move in opposite directions. ETU charges 0.95%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

ETU vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF (ETU) 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, ETU achieves a -70.82% return, which is significantly lower than SMST's -36.68% return.

ETU

• 1D: 11.38%
• 1M: 22.03%
• 6M: -74.73%
• YTD: -70.82%
• 1Y: -79.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

ETU vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETU T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF	-70.82%	-62.44%	53.26%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-36.68%	-44.36%	-77.82%

Correlation

The correlation between ETU and SMST is -0.78, 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	-0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2024	-0.68

The correlation between ETU and SMST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.78 to -0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETU vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETU

ETU Risk / Return Rank: 4
ETU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETU Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ETU Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ETU Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ETU Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

ETU vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF (ETU) 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.

	ETU	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	1.51	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.66	2.28	-2.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.30	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.85	2.63	-3.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.15	5.07	-6.22

ETU vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETU Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETU 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

ETU vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETU drawdown since its inception was -95.01%, roughly equal to the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETU and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETU	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.01%	-99.25%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-93.91%	-85.39%	-8.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.90%	-97.51%	+4.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.24%	-90.91%	+26.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	68.82%	44.25%	+24.57%

Volatility

ETU vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF (ETU) is 32.78%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 57.45%. This indicates that ETU 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

	ETU	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.78%	57.45%	-24.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	95.88%	136.03%	-40.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	136.45%	149.51%	-13.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	145.09%	167.79%	-22.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	145.09%	167.79%	-22.70%

ETU vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETU vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

ETU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ETU T-Rex 2X Long Ether Daily Target ETF	0.01%	0.00%	0.05%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETU and SMST in my portfolio?

ETU and SMST have a correlation of -0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETU or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (57.45%) compared to ETU (32.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETU dropped -95.01% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, ETU or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.39% vs -79.25% for ETU. On fees, ETU is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, ETU has been the lower-risk option at 32.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETU or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.39% return vs -79.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETU or SMST?

ETU is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

ETU has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between ETU and SMST?

ETU is categorized as Leveraged Cryptocurrency, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: REX Shares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ETU and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs -0.58), 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.