FLAX vs. SMST

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FLAX (Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLAX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. FLAX is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, FLAX returned 36.17% vs 128.37% for SMST. Their -0.37 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FLAX charges 0.19%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

FLAX vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) 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, FLAX achieves a 18.15% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -35.77% return.

FLAX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -2.44%
• 6M: 10.05%
• YTD: 18.15%
• 1Y: 36.17%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 7.64%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.17%

SMST

• 1D: 8.37%
• 1M: 5.47%
• 6M: -29.35%
• YTD: -35.77%
• 1Y: 128.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -83.68%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	$277.41K	$240.23K	$339.94K
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	$15.35M	$15.12M	$17.58M

FLAX vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	18.15%	33.72%	0.01%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-35.77%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FLAX and SMST is -0.40, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.37

Return for Risk

FLAX vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FLAX

FLAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
FLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
FLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 52
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FLAX vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) 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.

	FLAX	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.13	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.09	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.27	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.00	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.72	3.68	+4.05

FLAX vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLAX 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

FLAX vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLAX drawdown since its inception was -42.51%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLAX and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLAX	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.51%	-99.25%	+56.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.37%	-85.39%	+71.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.35%	-97.48%	+87.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.25%	-91.08%	+75.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	46.35%	-41.82%

Volatility

FLAX vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is 8.87%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 38.14%. This indicates that FLAX 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

	FLAX	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.87%	38.14%	-29.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.67%	135.29%	-113.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.75%	151.04%	-127.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.91%	166.75%	-146.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.39%	166.75%	-146.36%

FLAX vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLAX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLAX vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

FLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	2.11%	2.37%	3.12%	2.20%	2.86%	2.38%	1.57%	2.23%	2.35%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLAX and SMST in my portfolio?

FLAX and SMST have a correlation of -0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLAX or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (38.14%) compared to FLAX (8.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLAX dropped -42.51% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, FLAX or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 128.37% vs 36.17% for FLAX. On fees, FLAX is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, FLAX has been the lower-risk option at 8.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLAX or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 128.37% return vs 36.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLAX or SMST?

FLAX is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

FLAX has the higher dividend yield at 2.11%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between FLAX and SMST?

FLAX is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLAX and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.13), 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.