QTUM vs. ITM
QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and ITM (VanEck Intermediate Muni ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while ITM is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QTUM returned 29.15%/yr vs 0.44%/yr for ITM. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for ITM.
Performance
QTUM vs. ITM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QTUM achieves a 53.29% return, which is significantly higher than ITM's 0.61% return.
QTUM
- 1D
- -0.59%
- 1M
- 23.63%
- YTD
- 53.29%
- 6M
- 50.69%
- 1Y
- 95.36%
- 3Y*
- 52.22%
- 5Y*
- 29.15%
- 10Y*
- —
ITM
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- 0.79%
- YTD
- 0.61%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 7.29%
- 3Y*
- 3.70%
- 5Y*
- 0.44%
- 10Y*
- 1.95%
QTUM vs. ITM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | 53.29% | 36.65% | 50.54% | 39.86% | -28.80% | 35.18% | 42.05% | 47.99% | -19.02% |
ITM VanEck Intermediate Muni ETF | 0.61% | 5.34% | 0.73% | 5.69% | -9.33% | 0.21% | 5.87% | 8.46% | 1.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between QTUM and ITM is 0.17, 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 | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2018 | 0.06 |
The correlation between QTUM and ITM shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QTUM vs. ITM — Risk / Return Rank
QTUM
ITM
QTUM vs. ITM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and VanEck Intermediate Muni ETF (ITM). 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.
| QTUM | ITM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.55 | 1.55 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.28 | 2.13 | +4.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 23.69 | 6.84 | +16.85 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QTUM | ITM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.65 | 2.58 | +1.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.10 | 0.10 | +1.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.28 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.08 | 0.44 | +0.64 |
Drawdowns
QTUM vs. ITM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, which is greater than ITM's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and ITM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QTUM | ITM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.45% | -24.75% | -13.70% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.26% | -3.43% | -11.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.39% | -5.68% | -19.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.45% | -15.11% | -23.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.75% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.59% | -1.33% | +0.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.25% | -2.98% | -5.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.04% | 1.07% | +2.97% |
Volatility
QTUM vs. ITM - Volatility Comparison
Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 9.76% compared to VanEck Intermediate Muni ETF (ITM) at 1.01%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QTUM | ITM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.76% | 1.01% | +8.75% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.35% | 2.18% | +18.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.26% | 2.84% | +23.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.56% | 4.31% | +22.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.17% | 7.10% | +20.07% |
QTUM vs. ITM - Expense Ratio Comparison
QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than ITM's 0.24% expense ratio.
Dividends
QTUM vs. ITM - Dividend Comparison
QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than ITM's 2.93% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ITM VanEck Intermediate Muni ETF | 2.93% | 2.86% | 2.73% | 2.40% | 1.92% | 1.70% | 2.13% | 2.44% | 2.33% | 2.21% | 2.29% | 2.28% |
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 ITM have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QTUM has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to ITM (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM dropped -38.45% vs ITM's -24.75%.
On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 29.15% vs 0.44% for ITM. On fees, ITM is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, ITM has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. 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 29.15% return vs 0.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ITM is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.
ITM has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 0.70% for QTUM.
QTUM is categorized as Technology Equities, while ITM is Municipal Bonds. QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while ITM tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.24% for ITM.
QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.58), 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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