SPXS vs. SMST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPXS (Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both Inverse Equities funds. SPXS is passively managed, while SMST is actively managed. Over the past year, SPXS returned -48.73% vs 73.40% for SMST. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPXS charges 1.08%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

SPXS vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) 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, SPXS achieves a -25.49% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -49.49% return.

SPXS

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: -13.11%
• YTD: -25.49%
• 6M: -24.86%
• 1Y: -48.73%
• 3Y*: -42.68%
• 5Y*: -34.76%
• 10Y*: -42.01%

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)

SPXS vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	-25.49%	-41.53%	-10.97%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-49.49%	-44.36%	-90.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SPXS and SMST is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2024	0.46

Return for Risk

SPXS vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPXS

SPXS Risk / Return Rank: 1
SPXS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Omega Ratio Rank: 0
SPXS Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SPXS Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

SPXS vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) 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.

	SPXS	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.38	0.52	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.31	1.63	-3.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.75	1.21	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.96	0.86	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.62	1.81	-3.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPXS vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPXS Sharpe Ratio is -1.38, which is lower than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPXS 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

	SPXS	SMST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.38	0.52	-1.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.83	-0.52	-0.31

Drawdowns

SPXS vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPXS drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, roughly equal to the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPXS and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPXS	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-99.25%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.77%	-85.39%	+34.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.13%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-98.02%	-1.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-96.30%	-90.67%	-5.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.04%	40.73%	-10.69%

Volatility

SPXS vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares (SPXS) is 8.51%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 37.33%. This indicates that SPXS 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

	SPXS	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.51%	37.33%	-28.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.82%	126.48%	-99.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.54%	140.93%	-105.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.39%	166.79%	-116.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.54%	166.79%	-113.25%

SPXS vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPXS has a 1.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPXS vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

SPXS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPXS Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 3X Shares	4.91%	4.93%	6.18%	5.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.51%	1.74%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPXS and SMST in my portfolio?

SPXS 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, SPXS or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (37.33%) compared to SPXS (8.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPXS dropped -100.00% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, SPXS or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 73.40% vs -48.73% for SPXS. On fees, SPXS is cheaper at 1.08% per year. On volatility, SPXS has been the lower-risk option at 8.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPXS or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 73.40% return vs -48.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPXS or SMST?

SPXS is cheaper with a 1.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

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

SPXS has the higher dividend yield at 4.91%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between SPXS and SMST?

They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.08% for SPXS and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs -1.38), 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.