VSTL vs. AIPO

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSTL (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSTL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while AIPO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. VSTL is actively managed, while AIPO is passively managed. Over the past year, VSTL returned -66.54% vs 42.03% for AIPO. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VSTL charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

VSTL vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) 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, VSTL achieves a -35.33% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 29.43% return.

VSTL

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -6.33%
• 6M: -28.91%
• YTD: -35.33%
• 1Y: -66.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -58.65%

AIPO

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -7.73%
• 6M: 16.62%
• YTD: 29.43%
• 1Y: 42.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 40.92%

*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	$40.86M	$38.41M	$47.30M
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	$651.64K	$708.80K	$1.90M

VSTL vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	-35.33%	-42.11%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	29.43%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTL and AIPO is 0.63, 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.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.63

The correlation between VSTL and AIPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTL vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTL

VSTL Risk / Return Rank: 3
VSTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VSTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
VSTL Martin Ratio Rank: 1

AIPO

AIPO Risk / Return Rank: 43
AIPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
AIPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
AIPO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AIPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AIPO Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

VSTL vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) 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.

	VSTL	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	1.05	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.87	1.53	-2.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.19	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	1.61	-2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	5.40	-6.76

VSTL vs. AIPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTL Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is lower than the AIPO Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTL 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

VSTL vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTL drawdown since its inception was -71.42%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -24.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTL and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTL	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.42%	-24.36%	-47.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.42%	-24.36%	-47.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-68.28%	-17.66%	-50.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.67%	-5.28%	-38.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	48.96%	7.27%	+41.69%

Volatility

VSTL vs. AIPO - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL) has a higher volatility of 25.95% compared to Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) at 14.51%. This indicates that VSTL'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

	VSTL	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.95%	14.51%	+11.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.40%	29.84%	+38.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	97.01%	37.46%	+59.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	97.03%	37.20%	+59.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.03%	37.20%	+59.83%

VSTL vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VSTL vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

VSTL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AIPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%
VSTL Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTL and AIPO in my portfolio?

VSTL and AIPO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTL or AIPO?

VSTL has higher volatility (25.95%) compared to AIPO (14.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTL dropped -71.42% vs AIPO's -24.36%.

Which ETF is better, VSTL or AIPO?

On 1-year performance, AIPO leads with 42.03% vs -66.54% for VSTL. On fees, AIPO is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, AIPO has been the lower-risk option at 14.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSTL or AIPO?

Over the 1-year period, AIPO has performed better with a 42.03% return vs -66.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSTL or AIPO?

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

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

AIPO has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for VSTL.

What is the main difference between VSTL and AIPO?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs -0.69), 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.