GSGO vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

GSGO (Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSGO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. At a correlation of -0.45, they often move in opposite directions. GSGO charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

GSGO vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities ETF (GSGO) 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, GSGO achieves a 11.09% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -31.56% return.

GSGO

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 2.34%
• 6M: 9.93%
• YTD: 11.09%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

GSGO vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GSGO Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities ETF	11.09%	0.81%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	47.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GSGO and SMST is -0.45, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2025	-0.45

Return for Risk

GSGO vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSGO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

GSGO vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities ETF (GSGO) 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.

	GSGO	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.37	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.22	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.29	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.39	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	4.64	—

Drawdowns

GSGO vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSGO drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSGO and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSGO	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.88%	-99.25%	+85.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-85.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	-97.31%	+95.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.03%	-90.88%	+87.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	43.98%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GSGO	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	56.47%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	135.94%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.93%	149.09%	-130.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.93%	167.87%	-148.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.93%	167.87%	-148.94%

GSGO vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSGO has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSGO vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

Neither GSGO nor SMST has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSGO and SMST in my portfolio?

GSGO and SMST have a correlation of -0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GSGO or SMST?

On fees, GSGO is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSGO or SMST?

GSGO is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

GSGO and SMST have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GSGO and SMST?

GSGO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GSGO and 1.29% for SMST.