IONX vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

IONX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IONX 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, IONX returned -65.68% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.48, they often move in opposite directions. IONX charges 1.31%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

IONX vs. SMST - 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 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, IONX achieves a -50.61% return, which is significantly lower than SMST's -31.56% return.

IONX

• 1D: -8.66%
• 1M: -48.76%
• 6M: -58.64%
• YTD: -50.61%
• 1Y: -65.68%
• 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)

IONX vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IONX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF	-50.61%	80.91%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-21.75%

Correlation

The correlation between IONX and SMST is -0.50, 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	-0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2025	-0.48

Return for Risk

IONX vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

IONX

IONX Risk / Return Rank: 7
IONX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
IONX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
IONX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
IONX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
IONX 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.

IONX vs. SMST - 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 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.

	IONX	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.39	1.37	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	2.22	-1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.29	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	2.39	-3.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.06	4.64	-5.70

IONX vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IONX Sharpe Ratio is -0.39, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IONX 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

IONX vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IONX drawdown since its inception was -93.75%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IONX and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	IONX	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.75%	-99.25%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-93.75%	-85.39%	-8.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-88.74%	-97.31%	+8.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.94%	-90.88%	+38.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	67.54%	43.98%	+23.56%

Volatility

IONX vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX) is 40.71%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that IONX 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

	IONX	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	40.71%	56.47%	-15.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	134.06%	135.94%	-1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	185.47%	149.09%	+36.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	198.00%	167.87%	+30.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	198.00%	167.87%	+30.13%

IONX vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IONX vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

IONX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.16%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
IONX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF	5.16%	2.55%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IONX and SMST in my portfolio?

IONX and SMST have a correlation of -0.50, 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 SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to IONX (40.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IONX dropped -93.75% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, IONX or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs -65.68% for IONX. On fees, SMST is cheaper at 1.29% per year. On volatility, IONX has been the lower-risk option at 40.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IONX or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs -65.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IONX or SMST?

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

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

IONX has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between IONX and SMST?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.39), 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.