QTUM vs. SPYT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while SPYT is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. QTUM is passively managed, while SPYT is actively managed. Over the past year, QTUM returned 95.36% vs 23.29% for SPYT. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SPYT.

Performance

QTUM vs. SPYT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTUM achieves a 53.29% return, which is significantly higher than SPYT's 9.70% return.

QTUM

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 23.63%
• YTD: 53.29%
• 6M: 50.69%
• 1Y: 95.36%
• 3Y*: 52.22%
• 5Y*: 29.15%
• 10Y*: —

SPYT

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QTUM vs. SPYT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	53.29%	36.65%	30.19%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	9.70%	12.41%	12.94%

Correlation

The correlation between QTUM and SPYT is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2024	0.76

The correlation between QTUM and SPYT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTUM vs. SPYT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTUM	SPYT
Technology	84.2%	36.2%
Industrials	9.0%	8.1%
Communication Services	5.3%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	0.8%	10.1%
Healthcare	0.7%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

QTUM vs. SPYT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 91
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

QTUM vs. SPYT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). 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	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.65	2.16	+1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	2.98	+1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.43	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.28	2.93	+3.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.69	13.59	+10.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTUM vs. SPYT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTUM Sharpe Ratio is 3.65, which is higher than the SPYT Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTUM and SPYT, 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

	QTUM	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.65	2.16	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	1.08	-0.01

Drawdowns

QTUM vs. SPYT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, which is greater than SPYT's maximum drawdown of -18.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and SPYT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTUM	SPYT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.45%	-18.25%	-20.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.26%	-8.00%	-7.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.59%	-0.68%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-2.00%	-6.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	1.72%	+2.32%

Volatility

QTUM vs. SPYT - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 9.76% compared to Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) at 2.54%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTUM	SPYT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.76%	2.54%	+7.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.35%	8.32%	+12.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.26%	10.86%	+15.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.56%	14.80%	+11.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.17%	14.80%	+12.37%

QTUM vs. SPYT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYT's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTUM vs. SPYT - Dividend Comparison

QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than SPYT's 20.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.70%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	20.73%	21.40%	17.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTUM and SPYT in my portfolio?

QTUM and SPYT have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTUM or SPYT?

QTUM has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to SPYT (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM dropped -38.45% vs SPYT's -18.25%.

Which ETF is better, QTUM or SPYT?

On 1-year performance, QTUM leads with 95.36% vs 23.29% for SPYT. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, SPYT has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTUM or SPYT?

Over the 1-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 95.36% return vs 23.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTUM or SPYT?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SPYT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTUM or SPYT?

SPYT has the higher dividend yield at 20.73%, compared with 0.70% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between QTUM and SPYT?

QTUM is categorized as Technology Equities, while SPYT is Derivative Income. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.87% for SPYT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 2.16), 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.