YQQQ vs. MSTY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

YQQQ (YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF) and MSTY (YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, YQQQ returned -12.68% vs -66.58% for MSTY. At a correlation of -0.51, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) and YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YQQQ achieves a -7.17% return, which is significantly higher than MSTY's -27.80% return.

YQQQ

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: -0.90%
• YTD: -7.17%
• 6M: -6.10%
• 1Y: -12.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSTY

• 1D: -4.55%
• 1M: -31.74%
• YTD: -27.80%
• 6M: -29.80%
• 1Y: -66.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	-7.17%	-9.97%	-5.17%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-27.80%	-42.71%	76.97%

Correlation

The correlation between YQQQ and MSTY is -0.53, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2024	-0.51

The correlation between YQQQ and MSTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.53 to -0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YQQQ vs. MSTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

YQQQ

YQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 2
YQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
YQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
YQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2
YQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
YQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 1

MSTY

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

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.

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) and YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY). 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.

	YQQQ	MSTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.94	-1.08	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.24	-1.96	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.79	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.58	-0.93	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.45	-1.35	-0.10

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YQQQ Sharpe Ratio is -0.94, which is comparable to the MSTY Sharpe Ratio of -1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YQQQ and MSTY, 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

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YQQQ drawdown since its inception was -29.10%, smaller than the maximum MSTY drawdown of -71.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YQQQ and MSTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	YQQQ	MSTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.10%	-71.79%	+42.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.80%	-71.79%	+49.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.77%	-71.62%	+44.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.57%	-26.97%	+12.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.10%	49.36%	-40.26%

Volatility

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) is 6.12%, while YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a volatility of 19.32%. This indicates that YQQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YQQQ	MSTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	19.32%	-13.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.21%	49.66%	-38.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.66%	62.02%	-48.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.59%	71.82%	-55.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.59%	71.82%	-55.23%

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

YQQQ vs. MSTY - Dividend Comparison

YQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 30.11%, less than MSTY's 286.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	286.06%	294.61%	104.56%
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	30.11%	31.71%	7.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YQQQ and MSTY in my portfolio?

YQQQ and MSTY have a correlation of -0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YQQQ or MSTY?

MSTY has higher volatility (19.32%) compared to YQQQ (6.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YQQQ dropped -29.10% vs MSTY's -71.79%.

Which ETF is better, YQQQ or MSTY?

On 1-year performance, YQQQ leads with -12.68% vs -66.58% for MSTY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, YQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YQQQ or MSTY?

Over the 1-year period, YQQQ has performed better with a -12.68% return vs -66.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YQQQ or MSTY?

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

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

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 286.06%, compared with 30.11% for YQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.94 vs -1.08), 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.