IONZ vs. SPXU

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

IONZ (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF) and SPXU (ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500) are both exchange-traded funds - IONZ is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while SPXU is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-300%). IONZ is actively managed, while SPXU is passively managed. Over the past year, IONZ returned -94.12% vs -41.21% for SPXU. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IONZ charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SPXU.

Performance

IONZ vs. SPXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) and ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU). 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 SPXU's -25.00% return.

IONZ

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

SPXU

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: -0.30%
• 6M: -21.86%
• YTD: -25.00%
• 1Y: -41.21%
• 3Y*: -39.91%
• 5Y*: -33.74%
• 10Y*: -41.20%

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

IONZ vs. SPXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IONZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF	-76.00%	-80.36%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	-25.00%	-29.74%

Correlation

The correlation between IONZ and SPXU is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2025	0.42

Return for Risk

IONZ vs. SPXU — 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

SPXU

SPXU Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPXU Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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. SPXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) and ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU). 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	SPXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.51	-1.10	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.64	-1.71	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	0.81	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.96	-0.94	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.20	-1.61	+0.42

IONZ vs. SPXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IONZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.51, which is higher than the SPXU Sharpe Ratio of -1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IONZ and SPXU, 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. SPXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IONZ drawdown since its inception was -98.66%, roughly equal to the maximum SPXU drawdown of -99.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IONZ and SPXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IONZ	SPXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.66%	-99.99%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-98.41%	-43.83%	-54.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-84.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.05%	-99.99%	+3.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.45%	-93.36%	+17.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	78.56%	25.60%	+52.96%

Volatility

IONZ vs. SPXU - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (IONZ) has a higher volatility of 40.37% compared to ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500 (SPXU) at 10.37%. This indicates that IONZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IONZ	SPXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	40.37%	10.37%	+30.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	155.08%	30.00%	+125.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	186.72%	37.51%	+149.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	185.79%	50.67%	+135.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	185.79%	53.33%	+132.46%

IONZ vs. SPXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IONZ has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SPXU's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

IONZ vs. SPXU - Dividend Comparison

IONZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.92%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IONZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXU ProShares UltraPro Short S&P500	6.92%	7.02%	9.53%	7.06%	0.39%	0.00%	0.70%	2.14%	1.41%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IONZ and SPXU in my portfolio?

IONZ and SPXU have a correlation of 0.42, 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 SPXU?

IONZ has higher volatility (40.37%) compared to SPXU (10.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IONZ dropped -98.66% vs SPXU's -99.99%.

Which ETF is better, IONZ or SPXU?

On 1-year performance, SPXU leads with -41.21% vs -94.12% for IONZ. On fees, SPXU is cheaper at 0.90% per year. On volatility, SPXU has been the lower-risk option at 10.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IONZ or SPXU?

Over the 1-year period, SPXU has performed better with a -41.21% 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 SPXU?

SPXU is cheaper with a 0.90% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for IONZ.

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

SPXU has the higher dividend yield at 6.92%, compared with 0.00% for IONZ.

What is the main difference between IONZ and SPXU?

IONZ is categorized as Inverse Equities, while SPXU is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for IONZ and 0.90% for SPXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IONZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.51 vs -1.10), 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.