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ETF Comparison

MSTY vs YMAG: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF and YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

  • MSTYInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 75.73%, generated by selling options premium.
  • YMAGInvestors who are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

MSTY has lagged YMAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a -49.43% total return against 10.14%. Measured from Feb 2024 — the start of shared available history — MSTY has compounded at 23.39% a year versus 20.41% for YMAG. YMAG has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 18.1% against 69.5% for MSTY. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1YSince Feb 2024Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
MSTY-3.10%-49.43%23.39%69.5%-1.05-1.45-71.9%
YMAG6.52%10.14%20.41%18.1%0.280.39-14.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Feb 2024” measures every fund from February 22, 2024 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricMSTYYMAG
Full nameYieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETFYieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs
IssuerYieldMaxYieldMax
Underlying indexStrategy (MSTR)Basket (Magnificent 7 Stocks)
Last Close$16.48 as of September 18, 2026$11.31 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate75.73%30.80%
Distribution Safety Score™ 5975
Safety-Adjusted Yield 44.68%23.10%
Expense ratio1.03%1.34%
AUM$959M$295M
Distribution frequencyWeeklyWeekly
ObjectiveActively managed fund that seeks current income while maintaining indirect exposure to the share price of MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR), subject to a limit on potential investment gains.Fund of funds that seeks weekly income by investing nearly all of its assets in seven underlying YieldMax option income ETFs tied to the Magnificent 7 stocks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date02/21/202401/29/2024
Beta2.56041.1624
Last dividend$0.24 payable today$0.067
Ex-dividend date09/17/202609/16/2026

Bottom lineChoose MSTY if you want to maximize current income — roughly 75.73%, generated by selling options premium. Choose YMAG if you are comfortable trading away most upside for a large, steady payout. MSTY and YMAG both use option or derivative overlays. Their tradeoff is the underlying exposure, how each option strategy is implemented, and the yield each targets; either overlay can limit upside participation, so neither offers uncapped price exposure.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

  • Capped upside and premium dependence. MSTY and YMAG generate income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.

Learn the mechanics: Return of capital, explained · NAV erosion, explained

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

YieldMax
ETFs61
Total AUM$9.59B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

YieldMax is known for specializing in options-based and income-focused ETFs that emphasize yield generation through covered call strategies and other income-producing methodologies. The firm operates a diverse lineup of 63 funds organized across multiple families including covered call strategies, 0DTE (zero days to expiration) options, double distribution approaches, and various target-date and performance-based portfolios designed to generate regular distributions. Notable offerings span popular underlying assets like major technology stocks and broad market indices, with a particular emphasis on providing enhanced income solutions for investors seeking regular cash flows through options strategies and other tactical approaches.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on MSTY and YMAG.

See all YieldMax ETFs

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Quick verdict

MSTY (YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and YMAG (YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs) are both weekly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

MSTY offers the higher yield at 75.73% vs 30.80% for YMAG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

MSTY is cheaper with an expense ratio of 1.03% compared to 1.34%.

They have different reference exposures: MSTY is linked to Strategy (MSTR) while YMAG is linked to Basket (Magnificent 7 Stocks), which means their performance drivers differ.

MSTY is the larger fund by assets ($959M), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose MSTY

YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF

  • Want to maximize current income — MSTY distributes roughly 75.73% from selling options premium, vs 30.80% for YMAG.
  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 1.03% expense ratio vs 1.34% for YMAG.

Choose YMAG

YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs

  • Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.2 vs 2.6 for MSTY.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, MSTY would generate roughly $631.08/month, while YMAG would produce $256.67/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay weekly distributions.

MSTY yield75.73%
YMAG yield30.80%
Monthly diff on $10K$374.42

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, MSTY would cost approximately $1,030 in fees vs $1,340 for YMAG (simplified, not compounded). The $310.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

MSTY ER1.03%
YMAG ER1.34%

Strategy & risk

MSTY is actively managed around Strategy (MSTR) exposure with a crypto approach, while YMAG tracks Basket (Magnificent 7 Stocks) with a covered call approach. Beta is 2.5604 for MSTY and 1.1624 for YMAG, making YMAG the less volatile of the two by this measure.

MSTY beta2.5604
YMAG beta1.1624

Fund details

MSTY is managed by YieldMax (launched 02/21/2024) with $959M in assets. YMAG is managed by YieldMax (launched 01/29/2024) with $295M in assets.

MSTY AUM$959M
YMAG AUM$295M
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for MSTY and YMAG?

MSTY currently distributes 75.73% and YMAG 30.80%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is MSTY or YMAG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. MSTY currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between MSTY and YMAG?

MSTY (YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) is actively managed around Strategy (MSTR) exposure with a crypto approach, while YMAG (YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs) tracks Basket (Magnificent 7 Stocks) with a covered call approach. They are issued by YieldMax and YieldMax respectively.

Can I hold both MSTY and YMAG?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is MSTY or YMAG safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — YMAG scores 75, MSTY scores 59, so YMAG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. YMAG has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.16 vs 2.56 for MSTY). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, MSTY or YMAG?

MSTY has an expense ratio of 1.03% while YMAG charges 1.34%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in MSTY vs YMAG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in MSTY would generate roughly $631.08 per month ($7,573.00 annually). The same in YMAG would produce about $256.67 per month ($3,080.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, MSTY or YMAG?

MSTY has lagged YMAG over the trailing twelve months, posting a -49.43% total return against 10.14%. Measured from Feb 2024 — the start of shared available history — MSTY has compounded at 23.39% a year versus 20.41% for YMAG. YMAG has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 18.1% against 69.5% for MSTY. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

MSTY vs YMAG — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

MSTY and YMAG are both actively managed ETFs using options overlays to generate weekly income, but they differ fundamentally in scope and leverage. MSTY's strategy caps upside to harvest call premiums; YMAG does the same across a seven-stock portfolio.

How they differ

The most obvious difference is breadth: MSTY is a single-stock bet on MSTR, whereas YMAG spreads risk across seven mega-cap technology and e-commerce names. That structural choice explains their distribution yields—MSTY's 75.73% vastly outpaces YMAG's 30.80%, but MSTY achieves that by selling calls on a stock with a 2.5604 beta, making its distributions far more volatile. YMAG's 1.1624 beta suggests a more moderate swing than the broader market. On fees, MSTY charges 1.03% while YMAG charges 1.34%, a modest difference that widens when layered on top of MSTY's much higher distribution rate. MSTY's $959M AUM dwarfs YMAG's $295M, reflecting stronger investor appetite for the single-name strategy despite its concentration.

Who each is best for

  • MSTY: Fits investors who are comfortable with single-stock concentration and believe MicroStrategy's cryptocurrency exposure and potential upside justify capping gains, and who prioritize the highest weekly income available from this strategy.
  • YMAG: Fits investors seeking weekly option-income distributions with more diversification across established mega-cap names, accepting a lower yield in exchange for reduced idiosyncratic stock risk.
  • Concentration and single-name volatility. MSTY's exclusive exposure to MSTR creates concentration risk. MicroStrategy's share price is sensitive to crypto sentiment, leverage changes, and balance sheet decisions; a sharp decline compounds the impact of capped upside.
  • Derivative overlay limitations. Both funds cap gains by selling calls, so in a strong bull market for their underlying holdings, total returns lag the stocks themselves. MSTY's 2.5604 beta amplifies this opportunity cost.
  • Valuation and liquidity stress. YMAG's fund-of-funds structure adds a layer of fees and complexity; if underlying YieldMax ETFs experience asset outflows, YMAG could face redemption pressure and tracking inefficiency.

Bottom line

If you want maximum weekly income and accept the risk of a single-stock bet, MSTY's 75.73% yield stands apart; if you prefer diversification across the Magnificent 7 and a lower but more defensible distribution rate, YMAG's 30.80% and 1.1624 beta offer that tradeoff. Both sacrifice upside through covered call mechanics, so neither will track its underlying holdings in a sustained rally. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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