MDST vs SQEW
Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, MDST or SQEW?
MDST has been ahead.
MDST has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MDST | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $305M | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 10.69% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 110 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -24.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,910Best | $10,972 |
| Fund Family | Westwood Funds | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2024 | May 11, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 355 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MDST has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2024 to Oct 24, 2025 (1.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 12.0% for MDST. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -14.2% for MDST and -24.2% for SQEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDST charges 0.80% per year while SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $84 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDST currently yields 10.69% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDST and SQEW you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MDST or SQEW?
MDST has an expense ratio of 0.80% while SQEW charges 0.84%. MDST is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MDST or SQEW?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 12.0% for MDST. Worst drawdown: MDST -14.2% vs SQEW -24.2%.
Should I hold both MDST and SQEW?
MDST and SQEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDST or SQEW?
MDST yields 10.69% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so MDST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than MDST?
MDST has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.