MSTY vs USEP
YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF vs Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, MSTY or USEP?
Each has led over a different period.
USEP has a lower expense ratio. MSTY led over the full window, USEP over 1Y.
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 | MSTY | USEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.03% | 0.79%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $239M |
| Dividend Yield | 140.54% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 28 | 23 |
| YTD Return | -10.02% | +7.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | -46.73% | +9.56%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.59% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 78.6% | 5.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.4% | -9.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $15,819Best | $12,979 |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2024 | Aug 30, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.6 years).
MSTY vs USEP growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.6 years both funds cover.
MSTY vs USEP Performance
YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - September (USEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year MSTY returned -46.73% while USEP returned +9.56%. Year to date, MSTY is down 10.02% versus a gain of 7.42% for USEP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 78.6% compared with 5.5% for USEP. 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 -77.4% for MSTY and -9.7% for USEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSTY charges 1.03% per year while USEP charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $103 vs $79 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSTY currently yields 140.54% against 0.00% for USEP.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in MSTY and 1 in USEP, totalling 14.5% and 98.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in MSTY and 1 in USEP, against full books of 28 and 23.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSTY and USEP 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, MSTY or USEP?
MSTY has an expense ratio of 1.03% while USEP charges 0.79%. USEP is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSTY or USEP?
Over the past year MSTY returned -46.73% vs +9.56% for USEP, so USEP leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSTY or USEP?
MSTY has been the more volatile fund at 78.6% annualized versus 5.5% for USEP. Worst drawdown: MSTY -77.4% vs USEP -9.7%.
Should I hold both MSTY and USEP?
MSTY and USEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, MSTY or USEP?
MSTY yields 140.54% while USEP yields 0.00%, so MSTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USEP better than MSTY?
USEP has a lower expense ratio. MSTY led over the full window, USEP over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.