STXK vs. RB

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

STXK (Strive Small-Cap ETF) and RB (ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STXK is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US 600 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while RB is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the Russell 2000. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, STXK returned 29.03% vs 18.40% for RB. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. STXK charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for RB.

Performance

STXK vs. RB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (RB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STXK achieves a 16.87% return, which is significantly higher than RB's 7.87% return.

STXK

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 10.79%
• YTD: 16.87%
• 1Y: 29.03%
• 3Y*: 13.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.48%

RB

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 0.36%
• 6M: 5.15%
• YTD: 7.87%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.59%

*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)
RB ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	$4.14K	$11.08K	$83.73K
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	$405.30K	$275.09K	$260.42K

STXK vs. RB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	16.87%	12.27%
RB ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	7.87%	10.85%

Correlation

The correlation between STXK and RB is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.73

The correlation between STXK and RB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STXK vs. RB — Risk / Return Rank

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

STXK

STXK Risk / Return Rank: 73
STXK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
STXK Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
STXK Omega Ratio Rank: 66
STXK Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
STXK Martin Ratio Rank: 77

RB

RB Risk / Return Rank: 96
RB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
RB Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
RB Omega Ratio Rank: 96
RB Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
RB Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

STXK vs. RB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (RB). 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.

	STXK	RB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.82	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	4.78	-2.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.61	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	8.84	-5.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.46	28.06	-17.60

STXK vs. RB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STXK Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is lower than the RB Sharpe Ratio of 2.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STXK and RB, 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

STXK vs. RB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STXK drawdown since its inception was -27.12%, which is greater than RB's maximum drawdown of -2.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXK and RB.

Drawdown Indicators

	STXK	RB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.12%	-2.09%	-25.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.81%	-2.09%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.56%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.40%	-0.46%	-4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	0.66%	+2.12%

Volatility

STXK vs. RB - Volatility Comparison

Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF (RB) at 1.24%. This indicates that STXK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STXK	RB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	1.24%	+2.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.63%	4.68%	+6.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.68%	6.56%	+10.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.92%	6.38%	+13.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.92%	6.38%	+13.54%

STXK vs. RB - Expense Ratio Comparison

STXK has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than RB's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

STXK vs. RB - Dividend Comparison

STXK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than RB's 2.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
RB ProShares Russell 2000 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF	2.27%	1.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
STXK Strive Small-Cap ETF	1.13%	1.29%	1.64%	1.14%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STXK and RB in my portfolio?

STXK and RB have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STXK or RB?

STXK has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to RB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXK dropped -27.12% vs RB's -2.09%.

Which ETF is better, STXK or RB?

On 1-year performance, STXK leads with 29.03% vs 18.40% for RB. On fees, STXK is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, RB has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STXK or RB?

Over the 1-year period, STXK has performed better with a 29.03% return vs 18.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STXK or RB?

STXK is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for RB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STXK or RB?

RB has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 1.13% for STXK.

What is the main difference between STXK and RB?

STXK is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while RB is Defined Outcome. STXK tracks Bloomberg US 600 Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while RB tracks Russell 2000. They also come from different issuers: Strive and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for STXK and 0.58% for RB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 1.75), 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.