LFEQ vs. MSTY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and MSTY (YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while MSTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. LFEQ is passively managed, while MSTY is actively managed. Over the past year, LFEQ returned 22.91% vs -66.58% for MSTY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for MSTY.

Performance

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LFEQ achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly higher than MSTY's -27.80% return.

LFEQ

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: -1.28%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 22.91%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: —

MSTY

• 1D: -4.55%
• 1M: -31.74%
• YTD: -27.80%
• 6M: -29.80%
• 1Y: -66.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	7.96%	10.49%	18.88%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-27.80%	-42.71%	212.16%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and MSTY is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2024	0.45

The correlation between LFEQ and MSTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. MSTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 67

MSTY

MSTY Risk / Return Rank: 1
MSTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY). 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.

	LFEQ	MSTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	-1.08	+2.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	-1.96	+4.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	0.79	+0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	-0.93	+3.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.38	-1.35	+12.73

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is higher than the MSTY Sharpe Ratio of -1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ and MSTY, 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

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, smaller than the maximum MSTY drawdown of -71.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and MSTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	MSTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-71.79%	+36.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-71.79%	+62.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.00%	-71.62%	+68.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.13%	-26.97%	+20.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	49.36%	-47.34%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) is 4.60%, while YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a volatility of 19.32%. This indicates that LFEQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LFEQ	MSTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	19.32%	-14.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	49.66%	-39.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.54%	62.02%	-49.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.46%	71.82%	-57.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	71.82%	-54.23%

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than MSTY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. MSTY - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than MSTY's 286.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.84%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	286.06%	294.61%	104.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and MSTY in my portfolio?

LFEQ and MSTY have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LFEQ or MSTY?

MSTY has higher volatility (19.32%) compared to LFEQ (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs MSTY's -71.79%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or MSTY?

On 1-year performance, LFEQ leads with 22.91% vs -66.58% for MSTY. On fees, LFEQ is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, LFEQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or MSTY?

Over the 1-year period, LFEQ has performed better with a 22.91% return vs -66.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or MSTY?

LFEQ is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for MSTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LFEQ or MSTY?

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 286.06%, compared with 0.84% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and MSTY?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while MSTY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.99% for MSTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LFEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs -1.08), 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.