NIKL vs. MDST

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

NIKL (Sprott Nickel Miners ETF) and MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. NIKL is passively managed, while MDST is actively managed. Over the past year, NIKL returned 20.56% vs 20.44% for MDST. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NIKL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for MDST.

Performance

NIKL vs. MDST - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NIKL achieves a -16.99% return, which is significantly lower than MDST's 16.65% return.

NIKL

• 1D: -3.15%
• 1M: -15.97%
• YTD: -16.99%
• 6M: -16.03%
• 1Y: 20.56%
• 3Y*: -7.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MDST

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 6M: 16.74%
• 1Y: 20.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NIKL vs. MDST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	-16.99%	52.05%	-19.37%
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	16.65%	7.09%	17.03%

Correlation

The correlation between NIKL and MDST is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2024	0.12

The correlation between NIKL and MDST shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NIKL vs. MDST - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NIKL	MDST
Basic Materials	68.1%	-
Industrials	3.5%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NIKL vs. MDST — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIKL

NIKL Risk / Return Rank: 17
NIKL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
NIKL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
NIKL Omega Ratio Rank: 18
NIKL Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
NIKL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

MDST

MDST Risk / Return Rank: 57
MDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
MDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
MDST Omega Ratio Rank: 53
MDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
MDST Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

NIKL vs. MDST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST). 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.

	NIKL	MDST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	1.65	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	2.36	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.30	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	3.05	-2.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.43	8.22	-6.79

NIKL vs. MDST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIKL Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the MDST Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIKL and MDST, 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

NIKL vs. MDST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIKL drawdown since its inception was -60.23%, which is greater than MDST's maximum drawdown of -14.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIKL and MDST.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIKL	MDST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.23%	-14.19%	-46.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.58%	-6.74%	-29.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.23%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.58%	-2.10%	-34.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.65%	-2.20%	-24.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.42%	2.49%	+11.93%

Volatility

NIKL vs. MDST - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Nickel Miners ETF (NIKL) has a higher volatility of 15.45% compared to Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) at 4.83%. This indicates that NIKL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NIKL	MDST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.45%	4.83%	+10.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.97%	8.71%	+28.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.03%	12.44%	+30.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.99%	16.10%	+16.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.99%	16.10%	+16.89%

NIKL vs. MDST - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIKL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than MDST's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIKL vs. MDST - Dividend Comparison

NIKL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, less than MDST's 9.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	9.19%	10.22%	6.60%	0.00%
NIKL Sprott Nickel Miners ETF	3.04%	2.53%	3.49%	19.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIKL and MDST in my portfolio?

NIKL and MDST have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NIKL or MDST?

NIKL has higher volatility (15.45%) compared to MDST (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NIKL dropped -60.23% vs MDST's -14.19%.

Which ETF is better, NIKL or MDST?

On 1-year performance, NIKL leads with 20.56% vs 20.44% for MDST. On fees, NIKL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, MDST has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NIKL or MDST?

Over the 1-year period, NIKL has performed better with a 20.56% return vs 20.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NIKL or MDST?

NIKL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for MDST.

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

MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.19%, compared with 3.04% for NIKL.

What is the main difference between NIKL and MDST?

They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Westwood. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for NIKL and 0.80% for MDST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 0.48), 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.