QTUM vs. ICSH
QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. QTUM is passively managed, while ICSH is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QTUM returned 29.16%/yr vs 3.70%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.
Performance
QTUM vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QTUM achieves a 53.56% return, which is significantly higher than ICSH's 1.57% return.
QTUM
- 1D
- 4.18%
- 1M
- 17.45%
- YTD
- 53.56%
- 6M
- 53.19%
- 1Y
- 94.08%
- 3Y*
- 50.50%
- 5Y*
- 29.16%
- 10Y*
- —
ICSH
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 1.57%
- 6M
- 1.81%
- 1Y
- 4.36%
- 3Y*
- 5.16%
- 5Y*
- 3.70%
- 10Y*
- 2.79%
QTUM vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | 53.56% | 36.65% | 50.54% | 39.86% | -28.80% | 35.18% | 42.05% | 47.99% | -19.44% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 1.57% | 4.96% | 5.52% | 5.58% | 0.97% | 0.16% | 1.61% | 3.17% | 0.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between QTUM and ICSH is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2018 | 0.08 |
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Return for Risk
QTUM vs. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank
QTUM
ICSH
QTUM vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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.
| QTUM | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -7.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -23.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | 6.64 | -5.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.20 | 44.30 | -38.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 22.43 | 292.98 | -270.55 |
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Drawdowns
QTUM vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and ICSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QTUM | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.45% | -3.94% | -34.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.26% | -0.10% | -15.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.39% | -0.10% | -25.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.45% | -0.73% | -37.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -3.94% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.42% | 0.00% | -0.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.24% | -0.08% | -8.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.21% | 0.01% | +4.20% |
Volatility
QTUM vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison
Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 14.65% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.13%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QTUM | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.65% | 0.13% | +14.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.48% | 0.30% | +23.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.64% | 0.40% | +28.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.06% | 0.48% | +26.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.43% | 1.06% | +26.37% |
QTUM vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
QTUM vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison
QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than ICSH's 4.33% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.33% | 4.55% | 5.24% | 4.78% | 1.66% | 0.42% | 1.21% | 2.61% | 2.20% | 1.36% | 0.88% | 0.54% |
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | 0.70% | 1.01% | 0.61% | 0.81% | 1.46% | 0.48% | 0.42% | 0.61% | 0.21% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QTUM and ICSH have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QTUM has higher volatility (14.65%) compared to ICSH (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM dropped -38.45% vs ICSH's -3.94%.
On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 29.16% vs 3.70% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 29.16% return vs 3.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.
ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.33%, compared with 0.70% for QTUM.
QTUM is categorized as Technology Equities, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.08% for ICSH.
ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.08 vs 3.31), 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.
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