PLTD vs. SMST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTD (Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both Inverse Equities funds. PLTD is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, PLTD returned -22.19% vs 73.40% for SMST. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLTD charges 0.98%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

PLTD vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) 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, PLTD achieves a 13.23% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -49.49% return.

PLTD

• 1D: 6.63%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 13.23%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: -22.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMST

• 1D: 13.96%
• 1M: 85.04%
• YTD: -49.49%
• 6M: -27.60%
• 1Y: 73.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTD vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	13.23%	-70.53%	-5.12%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-49.49%	-44.36%	67.47%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTD and SMST is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.43

Return for Risk

PLTD vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTD

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

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 24
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 32
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

PLTD vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) 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.

	PLTD	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.43	0.52	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.34	1.63	-1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.21	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	0.86	-1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.74	1.81	-2.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTD vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTD Sharpe Ratio is -0.43, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTD 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLTD	SMST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.43	0.52	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.86	-0.52	-0.33

Drawdowns

PLTD vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTD drawdown since its inception was -77.34%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTD and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTD	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.34%	-99.25%	+21.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.79%	-85.39%	+40.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-71.01%	-98.02%	+27.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-59.43%	-90.67%	+31.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.14%	40.73%	-10.59%

Volatility

PLTD vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares (PLTD) is 18.68%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 37.33%. This indicates that PLTD 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

	PLTD	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.68%	37.33%	-18.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.02%	126.48%	-88.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.79%	140.93%	-89.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	63.73%	166.79%	-103.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.73%	166.79%	-103.06%

PLTD vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTD has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTD vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

PLTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
PLTD Direxion Daily PLTR Bear 1X Shares	3.26%	5.17%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTD and SMST in my portfolio?

PLTD and SMST have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTD or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (37.33%) compared to PLTD (18.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTD dropped -77.34% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, PLTD or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 73.40% vs -22.19% for PLTD. On fees, PLTD is cheaper at 0.98% per year. On volatility, PLTD has been the lower-risk option at 18.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTD or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 73.40% return vs -22.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTD or SMST?

PLTD is cheaper with a 0.98% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

PLTD has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between PLTD and SMST?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PLTD and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs -0.43), 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.