NVIR vs. MDST

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NVIR (Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF) and MDST (Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, NVIR returned 32.95% vs 20.59% for MDST. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NVIR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for MDST.

Performance

NVIR vs. MDST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF (NVIR) 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, NVIR achieves a 19.87% return, which is significantly higher than MDST's 18.37% return.

NVIR

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 3.92%
• 6M: 8.24%
• YTD: 19.87%
• 1Y: 32.95%
• 3Y*: 14.61%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.25%

MDST

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 2.48%
• 6M: 12.41%
• YTD: 18.37%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	$1.68M	$1.58M	$1.75M
NVIR Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF	$13.32K	$14.45K	$24.85K

NVIR vs. MDST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NVIR Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF	19.87%	9.84%	5.78%
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	18.37%	7.09%	17.03%

Correlation

The correlation between NVIR and MDST is 0.57, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2024	0.63

The correlation between NVIR and MDST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NVIR vs. MDST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NVIR

NVIR Risk / Return Rank: 76
NVIR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
NVIR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
NVIR Omega Ratio Rank: 72
NVIR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
NVIR Martin Ratio Rank: 71

MDST

MDST Risk / Return Rank: 66
MDST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
MDST Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
MDST Omega Ratio Rank: 59
MDST Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MDST Martin Ratio Rank: 68

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NVIR vs. MDST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF (NVIR) 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.

	NVIR	MDST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.44	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.06	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.26	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	2.95	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.79	8.30	+0.49

NVIR vs. MDST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVIR Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the MDST Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVIR 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

NVIR vs. MDST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVIR drawdown since its inception was -22.47%, which is greater than MDST's maximum drawdown of -14.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVIR and MDST.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVIR	MDST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.47%	-14.19%	-8.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-5.98%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.91%	-1.87%	-3.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.66%	-2.17%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.53%	+0.92%

Volatility

NVIR vs. MDST - Volatility Comparison

Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF (NVIR) has a higher volatility of 4.75% compared to Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) at 4.47%. This indicates that NVIR'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

	NVIR	MDST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.75%	4.47%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.94%	9.18%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.05%	12.69%	+4.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.26%	16.04%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.26%	16.04%	+3.22%

NVIR vs. MDST - Expense Ratio Comparison

NVIR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than MDST's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

NVIR vs. MDST - Dividend Comparison

NVIR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than MDST's 9.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
MDST Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF	9.20%	10.22%	6.60%	0.00%
NVIR Horizon Kinetics Energy Remediation ETF	0.76%	0.92%	1.50%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NVIR and MDST in my portfolio?

NVIR and MDST have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVIR or MDST?

NVIR has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to MDST (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVIR dropped -22.47% vs MDST's -14.19%.

Which ETF is better, NVIR or MDST?

On 1-year performance, NVIR leads with 32.95% vs 20.59% for MDST. On fees, MDST is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, MDST has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NVIR or MDST?

Over the 1-year period, NVIR has performed better with a 32.95% return vs 20.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NVIR or MDST?

MDST is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for NVIR.

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

MDST has the higher dividend yield at 9.20%, compared with 0.76% for NVIR.

What is the main difference between NVIR and MDST?

They also come from different issuers: Horizon and Westwood. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for NVIR and 0.80% for MDST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVIR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.44), 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.