ITWO vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

ITWO (Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITWO is a Derivative Income fund tracking the Cboe Russell 2000 Daily Covered Call Index, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. ITWO is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, ITWO returned 33.93% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.46, they often move in opposite directions. ITWO charges 0.55%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

ITWO vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO) 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, ITWO achieves a 21.69% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -31.56% return.

ITWO

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 1.36%
• 6M: 15.57%
• YTD: 21.69%
• 1Y: 33.93%
• 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)

ITWO vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ITWO Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF	21.69%	14.25%	3.10%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-44.36%	-91.99%

Correlation

The correlation between ITWO and SMST is -0.48, 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	-0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2024	-0.46

Return for Risk

ITWO vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITWO

ITWO Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
ITWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ITWO Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ITWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
ITWO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ITWO vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO) 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.

	ITWO	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.37	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.22	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.29	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	2.39	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.04	4.64	+6.40

ITWO vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITWO 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

ITWO vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITWO drawdown since its inception was -24.77%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITWO and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITWO	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.77%	-99.25%	+74.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.79%	-85.39%	+75.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-97.31%	+95.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-90.88%	+85.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	43.98%	-41.06%

Volatility

ITWO vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF (ITWO) is 4.87%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that ITWO 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

	ITWO	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.87%	56.47%	-51.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.92%	135.94%	-122.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	149.09%	-130.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.44%	167.87%	-147.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	167.87%	-147.43%

ITWO vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITWO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITWO vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

ITWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ITWO Proshares Russell 2000 High Income ETF	7.25%	12.12%	4.11%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITWO and SMST in my portfolio?

ITWO and SMST have a correlation of -0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITWO or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to ITWO (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITWO dropped -24.77% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, ITWO or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs 33.93% for ITWO. On fees, ITWO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ITWO has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITWO or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs 33.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITWO or SMST?

ITWO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

ITWO has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between ITWO and SMST?

ITWO is categorized as Derivative Income, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ITWO and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.37), 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.