IJH vs. SMST
IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. IJH is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, IJH returned 26.90% vs 236.89% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.41, they often move in opposite directions. IJH charges 0.05%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.
Performance
IJH vs. SMST - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IJH achieves a 16.41% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -5.14% return.
IJH
- 1D
- 0.92%
- 1M
- 2.68%
- YTD
- 16.41%
- 6M
- 14.13%
- 1Y
- 26.90%
- 3Y*
- 16.39%
- 5Y*
- 8.61%
- 10Y*
- 12.13%
SMST
- 1D
- 18.45%
- 1M
- 181.70%
- YTD
- -5.14%
- 6M
- 2.86%
- 1Y
- 236.89%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IJH vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 16.41% | 7.42% | 4.19% |
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF | -5.14% | -44.36% | -91.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJH and SMST is -0.39, 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 | -0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024 | -0.41 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IJH vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank
IJH
SMST
IJH vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) 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.
| IJH | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.30 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.06 | 2.79 | +0.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.18 | 5.52 | +5.66 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IJH vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJH drawdown since its inception was -55.07%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJH and SMST.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IJH | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.07% | -99.25% | +44.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.83% | -85.39% | +76.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.10% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.10% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.18% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -96.27% | +96.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.55% | -90.74% | +83.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.41% | 43.15% | -40.74% |
Volatility
IJH vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is 4.57%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 46.13%. This indicates that IJH 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IJH | SMST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.57% | 46.13% | -41.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.75% | 130.40% | -118.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.87% | 146.32% | -130.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.76% | 167.25% | -147.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.16% | 167.25% | -146.09% |
IJH vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison
IJH has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
IJH vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison
IJH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJH iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 1.16% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.46% | 1.68% | 1.18% | 1.28% | 1.63% | 1.72% | 1.19% | 1.60% | 1.56% |
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
IJH and SMST have a correlation of -0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMST has higher volatility (46.13%) compared to IJH (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJH dropped -55.07% vs SMST's -99.25%.
On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 236.89% vs 26.90% for IJH. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 4.57%. 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 236.89% return vs 26.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IJH is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.
IJH has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.
IJH is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for IJH and 1.29% for SMST.
IJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.63), 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.
Find the right allocation for IJH and SMST
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer