MST vs. SPYT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MST (Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF) and SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MST returned -92.85% vs 23.29% for SPYT. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MST charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SPYT.

Performance

MST vs. SPYT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MST achieves a -46.90% return, which is significantly lower than SPYT's 9.70% return.

MST

• 1D: -14.62%
• 1M: -51.85%
• YTD: -46.90%
• 6M: -62.90%
• 1Y: -92.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYT

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MST vs. SPYT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	-46.90%	-87.72%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	9.70%	17.82%

Correlation

The correlation between MST and SPYT is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2025	0.46

Return for Risk

MST vs. SPYT — 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: 1
MST Omega Ratio Rank: 1
MST Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
MST Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. SPYT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT). 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.

	MST	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.74	2.16	-2.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.01	2.98	-4.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.43	-0.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.98	2.93	-3.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.28	13.59	-14.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MST vs. SPYT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MST Sharpe Ratio is -0.74, which is lower than the SPYT Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MST and SPYT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MST	SPYT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.74	2.16	-2.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.74	1.08	-1.83

Drawdowns

MST vs. SPYT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MST drawdown since its inception was -94.99%, which is greater than SPYT's maximum drawdown of -18.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MST and SPYT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MST	SPYT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.99%	-18.25%	-76.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-94.99%	-8.00%	-86.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-94.34%	-0.68%	-93.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-62.22%	-2.00%	-60.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	72.32%	1.72%	+70.60%

Volatility

MST vs. SPYT - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF (MST) has a higher volatility of 35.73% compared to Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) at 2.54%. This indicates that MST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MST	SPYT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	35.73%	2.54%	+33.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	101.54%	8.32%	+93.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	126.60%	10.86%	+115.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	123.87%	14.80%	+109.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	123.87%	14.80%	+109.07%

MST vs. SPYT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MST has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYT's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

MST vs. SPYT - Dividend Comparison

MST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 891.75%, more than SPYT's 20.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
MST Defiance Leveraged Long Income MSTR ETF	891.75%	381.22%	0.00%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	20.73%	21.40%	17.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MST and SPYT in my portfolio?

MST and SPYT have a correlation of 0.46, 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 SPYT?

MST has higher volatility (35.73%) compared to SPYT (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MST dropped -94.99% vs SPYT's -18.25%.

Which ETF is better, MST or SPYT?

On 1-year performance, SPYT leads with 23.29% vs -92.85% for MST. On fees, SPYT is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, SPYT has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MST or SPYT?

Over the 1-year period, SPYT has performed better with a 23.29% return vs -92.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MST or SPYT?

SPYT is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for MST.

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

MST has the higher dividend yield at 891.75%, compared with 20.73% for SPYT.

What is the main difference between MST and SPYT?

Their fees differ too: 1.31% for MST and 0.87% for SPYT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs -0.74), 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.