SMCZ vs. AIPO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SMCZ (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMCZ is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while AIPO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. SMCZ is actively managed, while AIPO is passively managed. Over the past year, SMCZ returned -73.11% vs 46.89% for AIPO. Their -0.59 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. SMCZ charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF (SMCZ) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCZ achieves a -87.76% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 33.86% return.

SMCZ

• 1D: -1.52%
• 1M: -31.27%
• 6M: -85.93%
• YTD: -87.76%
• 1Y: -73.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -89.95%

AIPO

• 1D: 3.42%
• 1M: -4.58%
• 6M: 20.17%
• YTD: 33.86%
• 1Y: 46.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 45.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	$42.27M	$38.04M	$47.00M
SMCZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF	$23.07M	$12.69M	$14.60M

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMCZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF	-87.76%	78.94%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	33.86%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCZ and AIPO is -0.58, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	-0.59

The correlation between SMCZ and AIPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.59 to -0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMCZ vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SMCZ

SMCZ Risk / Return Rank: 7
SMCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SMCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
SMCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SMCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
SMCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 1

AIPO

AIPO Risk / Return Rank: 50
AIPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
AIPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
AIPO Omega Ratio Rank: 47
AIPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AIPO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF (SMCZ) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	SMCZ	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.41	1.26	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.24	1.74	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.22	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	1.93	-2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.47	6.41	-7.89

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.41, which is lower than the AIPO Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCZ and AIPO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCZ drawdown since its inception was -97.40%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -24.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCZ and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCZ	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.40%	-24.36%	-73.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-91.49%	-24.36%	-67.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.42%	-14.84%	-81.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-77.91%	-5.31%	-72.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	49.58%	7.33%	+42.25%

Volatility

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF (SMCZ) has a higher volatility of 65.84% compared to Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) at 14.74%. This indicates that SMCZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIPO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCZ	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	65.84%	14.74%	+51.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	160.74%	29.87%	+130.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	178.69%	37.61%	+141.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	175.68%	37.27%	+138.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	175.68%	37.27%	+138.41%

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCZ has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCZ vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

SMCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.59%, more than AIPO's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%
SMCZ Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF	16.59%	2.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCZ and AIPO in my portfolio?

SMCZ and AIPO have a correlation of -0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMCZ or AIPO?

SMCZ has higher volatility (65.84%) compared to AIPO (14.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCZ dropped -97.40% vs AIPO's -24.36%.

Which ETF is better, SMCZ or AIPO?

On 1-year performance, AIPO leads with 46.89% vs -73.11% for SMCZ. On fees, AIPO is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, AIPO has been the lower-risk option at 14.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCZ or AIPO?

Over the 1-year period, AIPO has performed better with a 46.89% return vs -73.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCZ or AIPO?

AIPO is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMCZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMCZ or AIPO?

SMCZ has the higher dividend yield at 16.59%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between SMCZ and AIPO?

SMCZ is categorized as Inverse Equities, while AIPO is Artificial Intelligence. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for SMCZ and 0.69% for AIPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs -0.41), 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.