QQQT vs. SMST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQT (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQT is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQT returned 34.63% vs 73.40% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.49, they often move in opposite directions. QQQT charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

QQQT vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) 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, QQQT achieves a 19.45% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -49.49% return.

QQQT

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 9.90%
• YTD: 19.45%
• 6M: 17.66%
• 1Y: 34.63%
• 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)

QQQT vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.45%	14.04%	5.09%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-49.49%	-44.36%	-90.90%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQT and SMST is -0.46, 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	-0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2024	-0.49

Return for Risk

QQQT vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQT

QQQT Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QQQT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQT Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

QQQT vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) 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.

	QQQT	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	0.52	+1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	1.63	+1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.21	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	0.86	+1.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	1.81	+7.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQT vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQT Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is higher than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQT 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

	QQQT	SMST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	0.52	+1.86
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	-0.52	+1.51

Drawdowns

QQQT vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQT drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQT and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQT	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-99.25%	+76.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-85.39%	+72.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-98.02%	+97.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.01%	-90.67%	+86.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	40.73%	-37.11%

Volatility

QQQT vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) is 4.04%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 37.33%. This indicates that QQQT 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

	QQQT	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	37.33%	-33.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	126.48%	-115.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.61%	140.93%	-126.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	166.79%	-146.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.24%	166.79%	-146.55%

QQQT vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQT vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

QQQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.16%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.16%	21.27%	10.35%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQT and SMST in my portfolio?

QQQT and SMST have a correlation of -0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQT or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (37.33%) compared to QQQT (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQT dropped -22.50% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, QQQT or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 73.40% vs 34.63% for QQQT. On fees, QQQT is cheaper at 1.05% per year. On volatility, QQQT has been the lower-risk option at 4.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQT or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 73.40% return vs 34.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQT or SMST?

QQQT is cheaper with a 1.05% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

QQQT has the higher dividend yield at 19.16%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between QQQT and SMST?

QQQT is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SMST is Inverse Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for QQQT and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.52), 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.