Dividend comparison
MSTR vs MSTY: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Strategy Inc and YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Performance. Over the last 1 year, MSTY returned -45.7% versus -51.9% for MSTR, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $5,430 in MSTY and $4,812 in MSTR.
- Risk. MSTR has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 1 year was -84.1%, against -80.7% for MSTY.
Bottom line: MSTY has the edge on these figures, with stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns. MSTR does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
| Metric | MSTR Strategy Inc | MSTY YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | — | 141.10% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | — | $20.32 |
| Payout frequency | — | Monthly |
| Last dividend | — | $0.2474 on Oct 16, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | — | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Price | $142.72 | $14.40 |
| Beta | 3.57 | 2.15 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -84.1% | -80.7% |
| Market cap | $55.06B | $792.6M |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | — | 1.03% |
| Assets under management | — | $1.02B |
| Number of holdings | — | 26 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 0.0% |
MSTR
—/mo
Yield data unavailable
MSTY
$1175.85/mo
$14110 /yr at 141.10% yield
| Year | MSTR | MSTY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $87.2054 |
Distributions can include return of capital and the share price tends to erode over time, so the headline yield overstates what the investor actually keeps.
What MSTR vs MSTY actually do
It holds no Strategy shares at all. It builds synthetic long exposure with options and sells calls or call spreads against it, harvesting premium from one of the most volatile large stocks in the market, itself a leveraged proxy for bitcoin. The distribution is set by the manager and varies week to week, and past payments have included return of capital, meaning part of what arrives is your own money coming back rather than income earned. Fees run around 1% a year.
Suits only an investor treating a small, losable allocation as a speculative income trade with eyes open. It is not an income substitute for a diversified fund: it carries single-stock risk on a company whose value is tied to bitcoin, its upside is capped by design, and its net asset value can fall sharply and permanently even while distributions continue.
Speculative, single-stock, capital at high risk
| Period | MSTR | MSTY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -7.28% | -6.07% |
| 3 months | 45.90% | 37.14% |
| Year to date | -6.07% | -6.31% |
| 1 year | -51.88% | -45.70% |
| 3 years | 310.11% | — |
| 5 years | 88.24% | — |
- MSTR
- MSTY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2024-02-22 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- MSTR
- MSTY
Quick verdict
MSTY has the edge on these figures, with stronger 1-year returns and smaller drawdowns. MSTR does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is MSTR or MSTY better for dividend income?
What is the difference between MSTR and MSTY?
Which has performed better, MSTR or MSTY?
Which is riskier, MSTR or MSTY?
Can I hold both MSTR and MSTY?
Where can I compare MSTR vs MSTY with my full portfolio?
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.