Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both MSTZ and SMST fall intoTier 5: Octane. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | MSTZ | SMST |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 0.00% | -51.20% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 0.00% | -51.20% |
| Max Drawdown | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
MSTZ (T-REX 2X Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF) is a high-risk synthetic income fund managed by Rex Shares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $105.7M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Uses aggressive derivative strategies on single stocks to produce yields far above market averages, with corresponding volatility.
SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) is a high-risk synthetic income fund managed by Defiance. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $38.4M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Uses aggressive derivative strategies on single stocks to produce yields far above market averages, with corresponding volatility.
In the head-to-head battle of MSTZ vs SMST, the choice depends on your specific goal. SMST wins for Immediate Income with a 0.00% yield. However, MSTZ is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
MSTZ
Annual Yield: 0.00%
$0/mo
($0/year)
Frequency: Monthly
SMST
Annual Yield: 0.00%
$0/mo
($0/year)
Frequency: Monthly
Income Gap: SMST generates $0/year more than MSTZ on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $0 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. MSTZ has delivered a superior Total Return of 0.00% over the past year.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
MSTZ (LOWER COST)
1.050%
Annual expense ratio
SMST (HIGHER COST)
1.310%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.26%": That seemingly small difference of 0.260% annually becomes $5,200 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$12,720 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: MSTZ is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.