HIMZ vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

HIMZ (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIMZ is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HIMZ returned -82.26% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.37, they often move in opposite directions. HIMZ charges 1.31%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

HIMZ vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (HIMZ) 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, HIMZ achieves a -41.40% return, which is significantly lower than SMST's -31.56% return.

HIMZ

• 1D: -5.72%
• 1M: 54.02%
• 6M: -37.63%
• YTD: -41.40%
• 1Y: -82.26%
• 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)

HIMZ vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HIMZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF	-41.40%	-69.65%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-20.14%

Correlation

The correlation between HIMZ and SMST is -0.37, 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	-0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2025	-0.37

Return for Risk

HIMZ vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIMZ

HIMZ Risk / Return Rank: 5
HIMZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
HIMZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
HIMZ Omega Ratio Rank: 7
HIMZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
HIMZ 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.

HIMZ vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (HIMZ) 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.

	HIMZ	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.46	1.37	-1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.25	2.22	-2.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.29	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.86	2.39	-3.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.09	4.64	-5.73

HIMZ vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIMZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.46, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIMZ 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

HIMZ vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIMZ 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 HIMZ and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIMZ	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.18%	-99.25%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-97.18%	-85.39%	-11.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-93.63%	-97.31%	+3.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.63%	-90.88%	+20.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	77.01%	43.98%	+33.03%

Volatility

HIMZ vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (HIMZ) is 46.53%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that HIMZ 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

	HIMZ	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	46.53%	56.47%	-9.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	137.87%	135.94%	+1.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	181.82%	149.09%	+32.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	197.93%	167.87%	+30.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	197.93%	167.87%	+30.06%

HIMZ vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIMZ has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIMZ vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

HIMZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
HIMZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF	4.17%	2.44%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIMZ and SMST in my portfolio?

HIMZ and SMST have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIMZ or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to HIMZ (46.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIMZ dropped -98.18% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, HIMZ or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs -82.26% for HIMZ. On fees, SMST is cheaper at 1.29% per year. On volatility, HIMZ has been the lower-risk option at 46.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HIMZ or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs -82.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIMZ or SMST?

SMST is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for HIMZ.

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

HIMZ has the higher dividend yield at 4.17%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between HIMZ and SMST?

HIMZ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.31% for HIMZ and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.46), 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.