SmarterDividends

MSTW vs QQQY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 7, 2026, QQQY yields more: 37.27% (dividend yield) against — for MSTW. MSTW is cheaper to own at 1.00% a year vs 1.01%. Over the same months (Jul 2025 to Oct 2026), QQQY returned 14.9% a year with distributions reinvested, and MSTW -70.5%.

ComparedMSTWQQQY
YieldDividend yield—37.27%
Expense ratio1.00%1.01%
Total return, 1 yr−64.1%+11.6%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)—+15.4%
Worst drop since Jul 2025-86.0%-7.0%
Share price since Jul 2025−92%−22%
PaysWeeklyWeekly
IssuerRoundhillDefiance ETFs LLC
Assets$68.8M$179.2M
Started20252023
TypeTrading--MiscellaneousTrading--Miscellaneous

Higher yield

QQQY

37.27%

Lower cost

MSTW

1.00%

Better total return

QQQY

14.9%/yr

Smaller worst drop

QQQY

-7.0%

Key facts: MSTW vs QQQY

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 7, 2026, MSTW yields — (dividend yield) and QQQY yields 37.27% (dividend yield).
  • MSTW's expense ratio is 1.00% and QQQY's is 1.01%: $100 vs $101 a year on $10,000.
  • From Jul 2025 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in MSTW grew to $2,171 (-70.5% a year) and $10,000 in QQQY to $11,896 (14.9% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -86.0% for MSTW and -7.0% for QQQY.
  • 1 of MSTW's top ten holdings are also in QQQY's top ten, an overlap of at least 2% of the fund.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "MSTW vs QQQY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 7, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/mstw-vs-qqqy

$10,000 in each, Jul 2025 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.

MSTW became

$2,171

-70.5% a year

QQQY became

$11,896

14.9% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Top holdings

1 of the top ten overlap, at least 2% of each fund.

MSTW

  1. FGXXX First American Government Obligs X23.7%

QQQY

  1. FGXXX First American Government Obligs X1.8%

MSTW vs QQQY: questions

Is MSTW or QQQY better?

It depends on the job. QQQY pays more today (37.27% vs —), MSTW costs less, and QQQY has the better total return over Jul 2025 to Oct 2026, with QQQY holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.

Which pays a higher dividend, MSTW or QQQY?

QQQY, at 37.27% against — for MSTW as of Nov 7, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $3,727 vs $0 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

QQQY. From Jul 2025 to Oct 2026, it returned 14.9% a year with distributions reinvested, against -70.5% for MSTW. $10,000 became $11,896 vs $2,171.

Which is cheaper, MSTW or QQQY?

MSTW, with a 1.00% expense ratio against 1.01%.

Do MSTW and QQQY hold the same things?

Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (FGXXX), at least 2% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. QQQY leads on 3 of 4 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 7, 2026.