IONX vs. QTUM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IONX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IONX is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. IONX is actively managed, while QTUM is passively managed. Over the past year, IONX returned -32.00% vs 94.08% for QTUM. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IONX charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

IONX vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IONX achieves a -3.95% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 54.06% return.

IONX

• 1D: 6.60%
• 1M: -23.74%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -34.32%
• 1Y: -32.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QTUM

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 54.06%
• 6M: 50.57%
• 1Y: 94.08%
• 3Y*: 52.80%
• 5Y*: 29.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

IONX vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IONX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF	-3.95%	80.91%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	54.06%	48.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IONX and QTUM is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2025	0.66

The correlation between IONX and QTUM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

IONX vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IONX	QTUM
Technology	100.0%	81.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	1.0%
Industrials	-	8.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IONX vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IONX

IONX Risk / Return Rank: 12
IONX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
IONX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IONX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
IONX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
IONX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 90
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

IONX vs. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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.

	IONX	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	3.27	-3.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	3.74	-2.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.51	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	6.20	-6.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.49	22.37	-22.86

IONX vs. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IONX Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 3.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IONX and QTUM, 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

IONX vs. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IONX drawdown since its inception was -93.75%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IONX and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IONX	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.75%	-38.45%	-55.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-93.75%	-15.26%	-78.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.10%	-0.09%	-78.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.62%	-8.23%	-42.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	64.77%	4.22%	+60.55%

Volatility

IONX vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX) has a higher volatility of 60.94% compared to Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) at 14.55%. This indicates that IONX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IONX	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	60.94%	14.55%	+46.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	133.89%	23.47%	+110.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	186.18%	28.95%	+157.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	199.51%	27.13%	+172.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	199.51%	27.46%	+172.05%

IONX vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IONX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

IONX vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

IONX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, more than QTUM's 0.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IONX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF	2.65%	2.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.70%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IONX and QTUM in my portfolio?

IONX and QTUM have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IONX or QTUM?

IONX has higher volatility (60.94%) compared to QTUM (14.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IONX dropped -93.75% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, IONX or QTUM?

On 1-year performance, QTUM leads with 94.08% vs -32.00% for IONX. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QTUM has been the lower-risk option at 14.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IONX or QTUM?

Over the 1-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 94.08% return vs -32.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IONX or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for IONX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IONX or QTUM?

IONX has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 0.70% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between IONX and QTUM?

IONX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QTUM is Technology Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.31% for IONX and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs -0.17), 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.