MSTY vs SPYI
Yieldmax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF against NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF. Headline yields tell you almost nothing here — below is what each fund actually distributed, what happened to the share price, and the total return that combination produced.
Over the last 12 months SPYI delivered a total return of +17.4% versus -58.5% for MSTY — that is price change plus every distribution actually paid. MSTY advertises a higher headline yield, but headline yield is not what landed in your account.
Prices and 1-year performance as of Sep 3, 2026; distributions through Sep 3, 2026.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +20.3%
- Share price change
- -78.8%
- Total return
- -58.5%
$15.61 paid per share across 48 distributions.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +12.3%
- Share price change
- +5.0%
- Total return
- +17.4%
$6.33 paid per share across 12 distributions.
Side by side
| Metric | MSTY | SPYI |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year total return | -58.5% | +17.4%win |
| Headline distribution yield | 95.84%higher | 11.81% |
| Paid per share (12mo) | $15.61higher | $6.33 |
| Share price change (1y) | -78.8% | +5.0%better |
| Payout trend (last 3 vs prior 3) | +7.3%better | +2.1% |
| Expense ratio | 1.03% | 0.68%cheaper |
| Distribution frequency | Weekly | Monthly |
| Payouts in last 12mo | 48 | 12 |
| Fund size | $757M | $11.1Bbigger |
| Share price | $16.29 | $53.86 |
| Next ex-distribution | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Last distribution | $0.21 · Sep 3, 2026 | $0.54 · Aug 19, 2026 |
| Fund family | YieldMax | NEOS |
Distribution history
Last 12 declared payouts per share. Shrinking bars mean the option premium isn't holding up.
- •You want maximum cash flow (95.84% headline) and accept that the share price will likely grind lower.
- •You are comfortable with a negative 12-month total return (-58.5%) in exchange for the income stream.
- •You accept a 1.03% annual fee for the single-stock options strategy.
- •Weekly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $757M matters to you for liquidity.
- •You want a more moderate 11.81% option-income stream without giving up most of the underlying growth.
- •Its last 12 months were net positive (+17.4%) after distributions.
- •You prefer a lower 0.68% annual fee.
- •Monthly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $11.1B matters to you for liquidity.
Other comparisons
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Frequently asked
Is MSTY or SPYI the better investment?
Measured on 12-month total return — share-price change plus every distribution paid — SPYI came out ahead: +17.4% versus -58.5%. Past total return is not a forecast, but it is a far better guide than headline yield.
What is the yield of MSTY vs SPYI?
MSTY currently shows a distribution yield of 95.84% and SPYI shows 11.81%. Over the trailing 12 months MSTY actually paid $15.61 per share and SPYI paid $6.33 per share.
Does MSTY lose value over time?
MSTY's share price changed -78.8% over the last 12 months. That decline means part of the distribution was funded from capital rather than option premium.
Which fund charges more, MSTY or SPYI?
MSTY charges 1.03% a year and SPYI charges 0.68%. Fees come straight out of the option premium that funds your distribution.
How often do MSTY and SPYI pay?
MSTY pays weekly (48 distributions in the last 12 months) and SPYI pays monthly (12 distributions). Paying more often does not increase total return — it just splits the same amount into smaller cheques.
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