XIDE vs. MSTQ

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

XIDE (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December) and MSTQ (LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XIDE returned 7.39% vs 26.31% for MSTQ. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XIDE charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.59%/yr for MSTQ.

Performance

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) and LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XIDE achieves a 2.82% return, which is significantly lower than MSTQ's 11.86% return.

XIDE

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 2.82%
• 6M: 3.29%
• 1Y: 7.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSTQ

• 1D: -4.28%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 11.86%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 26.31%
• 3Y*: 22.05%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XIDE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December	2.82%	6.89%	6.63%	0.28%
MSTQ LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF	11.86%	20.57%	19.58%	0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between XIDE and MSTQ is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2023	0.66

The correlation between XIDE and MSTQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XIDE	MSTQ
Technology	36.2%	54.0%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

XIDE vs. MSTQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XIDE

XIDE Risk / Return Rank: 85
XIDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
XIDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
XIDE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
XIDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
XIDE Martin Ratio Rank: 90

MSTQ

MSTQ Risk / Return Rank: 50
MSTQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
MSTQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
MSTQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
MSTQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
MSTQ Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) and LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ). 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.

	XIDE	MSTQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	1.77	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	2.32	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.31	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	2.13	+0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.26	6.63	+12.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XIDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the MSTQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XIDE and MSTQ, 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

	XIDE	MSTQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	1.77	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.33	0.80	+0.54

Drawdowns

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XIDE drawdown since its inception was -6.61%, smaller than the maximum MSTQ drawdown of -31.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XIDE and MSTQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XIDE	MSTQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-31.05%	+24.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.38%	-12.39%	+10.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-4.92%	+4.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-8.61%	+8.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.38%	3.98%	-3.60%

Volatility

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December (XIDE) is 0.48%, while LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ) has a volatility of 6.07%. This indicates that XIDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XIDE	MSTQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.48%	6.07%	-5.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.63%	11.48%	-8.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92%	14.99%	-12.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.12%	18.95%	-13.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.12%	18.95%	-13.83%

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XIDE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than MSTQ's 1.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

XIDE vs. MSTQ - Dividend Comparison

XIDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.38%, less than MSTQ's 12.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
MSTQ LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF	12.49%	13.97%	3.72%	0.77%
XIDE FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - December	6.38%	6.51%	6.68%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XIDE and MSTQ in my portfolio?

XIDE and MSTQ have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XIDE or MSTQ?

MSTQ has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to XIDE (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XIDE dropped -6.61% vs MSTQ's -31.05%.

Which ETF is better, XIDE or MSTQ?

On 1-year performance, MSTQ leads with 26.31% vs 7.39% for XIDE. On fees, XIDE is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XIDE has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XIDE or MSTQ?

Over the 1-year period, MSTQ has performed better with a 26.31% return vs 7.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XIDE or MSTQ?

XIDE is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.59% for MSTQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XIDE or MSTQ?

MSTQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.49%, compared with 6.38% for XIDE.

What is the main difference between XIDE and MSTQ?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Little Harbor Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XIDE and 1.59% for MSTQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XIDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.77), 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.