MST vs. IVVW

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

MST (Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF) and IVVW (iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. MST is actively managed, while IVVW is passively managed. Over the past year, MST returned -97.11% vs 18.13% for IVVW. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MST charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IVVW.

Performance

MST vs. IVVW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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 IVVW's 6.76% return.

MST

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

IVVW

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: 6.17%
• YTD: 6.76%
• 1Y: 18.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MST vs. IVVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	-72.88%	-87.60%
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	6.76%	17.02%

Correlation

The correlation between MST and IVVW is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.44

Return for Risk

MST vs. IVVW — 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

IVVW

IVVW Risk / Return Rank: 86
IVVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
IVVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
IVVW Omega Ratio Rank: 91
IVVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IVVW Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. IVVW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.72	2.22	-2.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.66	3.06	-5.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.72	1.47	-0.75
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	3.13	-4.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.23	16.61	-17.84

MST vs. IVVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MST Sharpe Ratio is -0.72, which is lower than the IVVW Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MST and IVVW, 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. IVVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MST drawdown since its inception was -97.68%, which is greater than IVVW's maximum drawdown of -16.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MST and IVVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	MST	IVVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.68%	-16.79%	-80.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-97.64%	-5.81%	-91.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.11%	-0.42%	-96.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.28%	-1.69%	-63.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	79.33%	1.09%	+78.24%

Volatility

MST vs. IVVW - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) has a higher volatility of 47.52% compared to iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) at 2.51%. This indicates that MST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MST	IVVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	47.52%	2.51%	+45.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	109.77%	7.10%	+102.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	134.41%	8.19%	+126.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	127.52%	12.57%	+114.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	127.52%	12.57%	+114.95%

MST vs. IVVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

MST has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

MST vs. IVVW - Dividend Comparison

MST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1,176.23%, more than IVVW's 19.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	19.07%	18.55%	13.72%
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	1,176.23%	381.22%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MST and IVVW in my portfolio?

MST and IVVW have a correlation of 0.45, 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 IVVW?

MST has higher volatility (47.52%) compared to IVVW (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MST dropped -97.68% vs IVVW's -16.79%.

Which ETF is better, MST or IVVW?

On 1-year performance, IVVW leads with 18.13% vs -97.11% for MST. On fees, IVVW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IVVW has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MST or IVVW?

Over the 1-year period, IVVW has performed better with a 18.13% 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 IVVW?

IVVW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for MST.

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

MST has the higher dividend yield at 1176.23%, compared with 19.07% for IVVW.

What is the main difference between MST and IVVW?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.31% for MST and 0.25% for IVVW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 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.