MSTY vs. QQQY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

MSTY (YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MSTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MSTY returned -62.19% vs 30.96% for QQQY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

MSTY vs. QQQY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSTY achieves a -16.01% return, which is significantly lower than QQQY's 15.43% return.

MSTY

• 1D: 2.79%
• 1M: -27.19%
• YTD: -16.01%
• 6M: -25.33%
• 1Y: -62.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQY

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 15.43%
• 6M: 15.99%
• 1Y: 30.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MSTY vs. QQQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-16.01%	-42.71%	212.16%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	15.43%	14.96%	6.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MSTY and QQQY is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2024	0.45

Return for Risk

MSTY vs. QQQY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSTY

MSTY Risk / Return Rank: 2
MSTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
MSTY Martin Ratio Rank: 3

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

MSTY vs. QQQY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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.

	MSTY	QQQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.01	2.00	-3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.72	2.52	-4.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.81	1.38	-0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.86	2.68	-3.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.29	10.96	-12.25

MSTY vs. QQQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSTY Sharpe Ratio is -1.01, which is lower than the QQQY Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSTY and QQQY, 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

MSTY vs. QQQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSTY drawdown since its inception was -71.79%, which is greater than QQQY's maximum drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTY and QQQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSTY	QQQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.79%	-19.05%	-52.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.79%	-11.14%	-60.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-66.98%	-3.41%	-63.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.54%	-2.92%	-23.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	48.20%	2.72%	+45.48%

Volatility

MSTY vs. QQQY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a higher volatility of 19.17% compared to Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) at 7.00%. This indicates that MSTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSTY	QQQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.17%	7.00%	+12.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.63%	12.87%	+36.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.33%	14.92%	+46.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	71.88%	15.12%	+56.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.88%	15.12%	+56.76%

MSTY vs. QQQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MSTY and QQQY have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

MSTY vs. QQQY - Dividend Comparison

MSTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 241.17%, more than QQQY's 35.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	241.17%	294.61%	104.56%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.39%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSTY and QQQY in my portfolio?

MSTY and QQQY have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSTY or QQQY?

MSTY has higher volatility (19.17%) compared to QQQY (7.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTY dropped -71.79% vs QQQY's -19.05%.

Which ETF is better, MSTY or QQQY?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 30.96% vs -62.19% for MSTY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 7.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MSTY or QQQY?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 30.96% return vs -62.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MSTY or QQQY?

MSTY and QQQY have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

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

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 241.17%, compared with 35.39% for QQQY.

What is the main difference between MSTY and QQQY?

MSTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while QQQY is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Defiance.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs -1.01), 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.