MST vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

MST (Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MST is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance, while FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. MST is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Over the past year, MST returned -97.11% vs 26.34% for FTQI. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MST charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

MST vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MST achieves a -72.88% return, which is significantly lower than FTQI's 12.76% return.

MST

• 1D: -5.37%
• 1M: -44.37%
• 6M: -77.72%
• YTD: -72.88%
• 1Y: -97.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 11.68%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

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

MST vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	-72.88%	-87.60%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	20.68%

Correlation

The correlation between MST and FTQI is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.47

Return for Risk

MST vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MST

MST Risk / Return Rank: 1
MST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
MST Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
MST Omega Ratio Rank: 0
MST Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
MST Martin Ratio Rank: 3

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

MST vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). 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.

	MST	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.72	2.43	-3.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.66	3.37	-6.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.72	1.45	-0.73
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	4.24	-5.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.23	20.07	-21.30

MST vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MST Sharpe Ratio is -0.72, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MST and FTQI, 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

MST vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MST drawdown since its inception was -97.68%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MST and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MST	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.68%	-19.42%	-78.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-97.64%	-6.24%	-91.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.11%	-0.85%	-96.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.28%	-3.73%	-61.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	79.33%	1.32%	+78.01%

Volatility

MST vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) has a higher volatility of 47.52% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that MST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MST	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	47.52%	2.92%	+44.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	109.77%	8.83%	+100.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	134.41%	10.87%	+123.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	127.52%	14.82%	+112.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	127.52%	12.98%	+114.54%

MST vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

MST has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

MST vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

MST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1,176.23%, more than FTQI's 10.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.92%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	1,176.23%	381.22%	0.00%	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 MST and FTQI in my portfolio?

MST and FTQI have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MST or FTQI?

MST has higher volatility (47.52%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MST dropped -97.68% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, MST or FTQI?

On 1-year performance, FTQI leads with 26.34% vs -97.11% for MST. On fees, FTQI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MST or FTQI?

Over the 1-year period, FTQI has performed better with a 26.34% return vs -97.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MST or FTQI?

FTQI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for MST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MST or FTQI?

MST has the higher dividend yield at 1176.23%, compared with 10.92% for FTQI.

What is the main difference between MST and FTQI?

MST is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.31% for MST and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs -0.72), 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.