LITP vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LITP is a Lithium & Battery Metals fund tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. LITP is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, LITP returned 77.65% vs 240.03% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.26, they often move in opposite directions. LITP charges 0.65%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

LITP vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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, LITP achieves a -9.00% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -27.96% return.

LITP

• 1D: -4.05%
• 1M: -27.46%
• 6M: -25.96%
• YTD: -9.00%
• 1Y: 77.65%
• 3Y*: -13.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMST

• 1D: 5.26%
• 1M: 44.38%
• 6M: -15.07%
• YTD: -27.96%
• 1Y: 240.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LITP vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	-9.00%	94.65%	0.08%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-27.96%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between LITP and SMST is -0.21, 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	-0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.26

Return for Risk

LITP vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 46
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 43
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 44

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 60
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

LITP vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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.

	LITP	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.62	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	2.33	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.30	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.83	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.68	5.47	+0.21

LITP vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITP Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITP 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

LITP vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITP drawdown since its inception was -74.94%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITP and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITP	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-99.25%	+24.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-39.65%	-85.39%	+45.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-74.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.65%	-97.17%	+57.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.28%	-90.89%	+48.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.71%	44.09%	-30.38%

Volatility

LITP vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) is 15.45%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.59%. This indicates that LITP 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

	LITP	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.45%	56.59%	-41.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.45%	135.88%	-94.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.00%	149.23%	-89.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.74%	167.74%	-120.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.74%	167.74%	-120.00%

LITP vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITP vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

LITP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.14%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	8.14%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LITP and SMST in my portfolio?

LITP and SMST have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LITP or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.59%) compared to LITP (15.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITP dropped -74.94% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, LITP or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 240.03% vs 77.65% for LITP. On fees, LITP is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, LITP has been the lower-risk option at 15.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LITP or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 240.03% return vs 77.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITP or SMST?

LITP is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 8.14%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between LITP and SMST?

LITP is categorized as Lithium & Battery Metals, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LITP and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.30), 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.