MST vs VYM
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MST or VYM?
Leverage Strategy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | MST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.91% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 196.33% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 26 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -40.21% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | -87.27% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 131.0% | 9.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -97.7% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $838 | $13,028Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Leverage Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Sep 22, 2026 (1.4 years).
MST vs VYM 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
MST vs VYM Performance
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF (MST) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MST returned -87.27% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, MST is down 40.21% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 131.0% compared with 9.5% for VYM. 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 -97.7% for MST and -6.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MST charges 1.91% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $191 vs $4 annually, a gap of $187 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MST currently yields 196.33% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in MST and 557 in VYM, totalling 7.8% and 99.2% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in MST and 557 in VYM, against full books of 26 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MST and VYM 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, MST or VYM?
MST has an expense ratio of 1.91% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $187 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MST or VYM?
Over the past year MST returned -87.27% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MST annualized -82.99% vs +20.80% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MST or VYM?
MST has been the more volatile fund at 131.0% annualized versus 9.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MST -97.7% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both MST and VYM?
MST and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.09, 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, MST or VYM?
MST yields 196.33% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MST?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.