MDST vs. IXN

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) and IXN (iShares Global Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MDST is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Westwood, while IXN is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Information Technology Sector Index. MDST is actively managed, while IXN is passively managed. Over the past year, MDST returned 23.27% vs 43.72% for IXN. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MDST charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for IXN.

Performance

MDST vs. IXN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) and iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDST achieves a 19.41% return, which is significantly lower than IXN's 28.13% return.

MDST

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 5.13%
• 6M: 18.80%
• YTD: 19.41%
• 1Y: 23.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IXN

• 1D: -2.47%
• 1M: -4.72%
• 6M: 25.36%
• YTD: 28.13%
• 1Y: 43.72%
• 3Y*: 28.96%
• 5Y*: 19.50%
• 10Y*: 23.87%

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

MDST vs. IXN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	19.41%	7.09%	17.03%
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF	28.13%	25.25%	14.87%

Correlation

The correlation between MDST and IXN is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2024	0.10

The correlation between MDST and IXN shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.10 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MDST vs. IXN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MDST	IXN
Energy	97.3%	0.1%
Industrials	0.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Technology	-	99.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MDST vs. IXN — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDST

MDST Risk / Return Rank: 72
MDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
MDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
MDST Omega Ratio Rank: 70
MDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
MDST Martin Ratio Rank: 65

IXN

IXN Risk / Return Rank: 64
IXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
IXN Omega Ratio Rank: 57
IXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IXN Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

MDST vs. IXN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) and iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN). 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.

	MDST	IXN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.67	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.18	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.29	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	3.18	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	9.42	-0.13

MDST vs. IXN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDST Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the IXN Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDST and IXN, 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

MDST vs. IXN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDST drawdown since its inception was -14.19%, smaller than the maximum IXN drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDST and IXN.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDST	IXN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.19%	-55.67%	+41.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.74%	-13.80%	+7.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-25.55%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-10.15%	+10.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-11.24%	+9.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	4.66%	-2.15%

Volatility

MDST vs. IXN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) is 4.55%, while iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) has a volatility of 10.99%. This indicates that MDST experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IXN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDST	IXN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	10.99%	-6.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	22.87%	-13.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.82%	26.28%	-13.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	25.68%	-9.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.10%	24.75%	-8.65%

MDST vs. IXN - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDST has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than IXN's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDST vs. IXN - Dividend Comparison

MDST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.05%, more than IXN's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF	0.82%	1.04%	0.43%	0.55%	0.81%	0.58%	0.63%	1.06%	0.94%	0.93%	1.03%	1.12%
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	9.05%	10.22%	6.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDST and IXN in my portfolio?

MDST and IXN have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDST or IXN?

IXN has higher volatility (10.99%) compared to MDST (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDST dropped -14.19% vs IXN's -55.67%.

Which ETF is better, MDST or IXN?

On 1-year performance, IXN leads with 43.72% vs 23.27% for MDST. On fees, IXN is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, MDST has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MDST or IXN?

Over the 1-year period, IXN has performed better with a 43.72% return vs 23.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MDST or IXN?

IXN is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for MDST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MDST or IXN?

MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.05%, compared with 0.82% for IXN.

What is the main difference between MDST and IXN?

MDST is categorized as Energy Equities, while IXN is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Westwood and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for MDST and 0.46% for IXN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.67), 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.