FNX vs. SMST
FNX (First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Core Index, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. FNX is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, FNX returned 25.61% vs 128.37% for SMST. Their -0.40 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FNX charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.
Performance
FNX vs. SMST - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FNX achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -35.77% return.
FNX
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.54%
- 6M
- 8.67%
- YTD
- 14.22%
- 1Y
- 25.61%
- 3Y*
- 13.85%
- 5Y*
- 8.88%
- 10Y*
- 11.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.56%
SMST
- 1D
- 8.37%
- 1M
- 5.47%
- 6M
- -29.35%
- YTD
- -35.77%
- 1Y
- 128.37%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -83.68%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.47M | $1.96M | $2.41M | |
| $15.35M | $15.12M | $17.58M |
FNX vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
FNX First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 14.22% | 9.87% | 3.98% |
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF | -35.77% | -44.36% | -91.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between FNX 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 | -0.40 |
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Return for Risk
FNX vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank
FNX
SMST
FNX vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) 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.
| FNX | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.27 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.55 | 2.00 | +0.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.68 | 3.68 | +5.01 |
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Drawdowns
FNX vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FNX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNX and SMST.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FNX | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.11% | -99.25% | +42.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.24% | -85.39% | +76.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.97% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.97% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.95% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.10% | -97.48% | +95.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.35% | -91.08% | +82.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.71% | 46.35% | -43.64% |
Volatility
FNX vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) is 3.13%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 38.14%. This indicates that FNX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FNX | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.13% | 38.14% | -35.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.39% | 135.29% | -123.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.15% | 151.04% | -134.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.40% | 166.75% | -146.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.90% | 166.75% | -144.85% |
FNX vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison
FNX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
FNX vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison
FNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.81%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FNX First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 0.81% | 0.88% | 1.26% | 1.11% | 1.19% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.21% | 1.01% | 0.90% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FNX 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.
SMST has higher volatility (38.14%) compared to FNX (3.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNX dropped -57.11% vs SMST's -99.25%.
On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 128.37% vs 25.61% for FNX. On fees, FNX is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FNX has been the lower-risk option at 3.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 128.37% return vs 25.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FNX is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.
FNX has the higher dividend yield at 0.81%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.
FNX is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FNX and 1.29% for SMST.
FNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 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.
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