IONZ vs. SARK

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

IONZ (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF) and SARK (Tradr Short Innovation Daily ETF) are both Inverse Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IONZ returned -94.12% vs -12.55% for SARK. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IONZ charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SARK.

Performance

IONZ vs. SARK - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IONZ achieves a -76.00% return, which is significantly lower than SARK's -6.50% return.

IONZ

• 1D: 12.86%
• 1M: 116.73%
• 6M: -71.26%
• YTD: -76.00%
• 1Y: -94.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SARK

• 1D: 3.71%
• 1M: 2.52%
• 6M: 0.41%
• YTD: -6.50%
• 1Y: -12.55%
• 3Y*: -26.33%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IONZ vs. SARK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IONZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF	-76.00%	-80.36%
SARK Tradr Short Innovation Daily ETF	-6.50%	-14.65%

Correlation

The correlation between IONZ and SARK is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2025	0.59

The correlation between IONZ and SARK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IONZ vs. SARK — Risk / Return Rank

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

IONZ

IONZ Risk / Return Rank: 4
IONZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
IONZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
IONZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5
IONZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
IONZ Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SARK

SARK Risk / Return Rank: 6
SARK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SARK Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SARK Omega Ratio Rank: 7
SARK Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
SARK Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

IONZ vs. SARK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) and Tradr Short Innovation Daily ETF (SARK). 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.

	IONZ	SARK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.51	-0.35	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.64	-0.28	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	0.97	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.96	-0.48	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.20	-0.84	-0.36

IONZ vs. SARK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IONZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.51, which is lower than the SARK Sharpe Ratio of -0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IONZ and SARK, 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

IONZ vs. SARK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IONZ drawdown since its inception was -98.66%, which is greater than SARK's maximum drawdown of -81.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IONZ and SARK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IONZ	SARK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.66%	-81.07%	-17.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-98.41%	-26.34%	-72.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-74.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.05%	-79.36%	-16.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.45%	-47.24%	-28.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	78.56%	15.03%	+63.53%

Volatility

IONZ vs. SARK - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) has a higher volatility of 40.37% compared to Tradr Short Innovation Daily ETF (SARK) at 8.83%. This indicates that IONZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SARK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IONZ	SARK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	40.37%	8.83%	+31.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	155.08%	26.97%	+128.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	186.72%	36.11%	+150.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	185.79%	55.89%	+129.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	185.79%	55.89%	+129.90%

IONZ vs. SARK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IONZ has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SARK's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

IONZ vs. SARK - Dividend Comparison

IONZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SARK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IONZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SARK Tradr Short Innovation Daily ETF	3.01%	2.82%	15.49%	12.57%	25.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IONZ and SARK in my portfolio?

IONZ and SARK have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IONZ or SARK?

IONZ has higher volatility (40.37%) compared to SARK (8.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IONZ dropped -98.66% vs SARK's -81.07%.

Which ETF is better, IONZ or SARK?

On 1-year performance, SARK leads with -12.55% vs -94.12% for IONZ. On fees, SARK is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, SARK has been the lower-risk option at 8.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IONZ or SARK?

Over the 1-year period, SARK has performed better with a -12.55% return vs -94.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IONZ or SARK?

SARK is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for IONZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IONZ or SARK?

SARK has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 0.00% for IONZ.

What is the main difference between IONZ and SARK?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and AXS. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for IONZ and 0.75% for SARK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SARK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.35 vs -0.51), 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.