MSTY

YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) is an exchange-traded fund designed to generate current income through an options-based strategy linked to MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR). The ETF is managed by YieldMax ETFs and trades under the ticker MSTY on the NYSE Arca.

Classified as an actively managed options-based income ETF, MSTY aims to deliver periodic cash flow rather than track the price performance of MicroStrategy shares. The fund follows an active strategy, primarily employing a systematic covered call approach on exposure related to MSTR.

The strategy emphasizes option premium collection as the primary return driver, which may limit participation in upside movements of the underlying stock while providing income potential across various market conditions.

Composition and exposure profile

MSTY’s exposure is structured around financial instruments linked to MicroStrategy shares, including synthetic positions and exchange-traded options. The fund does not hold MSTR shares directly in a traditional equity allocation, instead using derivatives to obtain economic exposure.

The ETF’s profile is highly sensitive to volatility in MicroStrategy stock, as option premiums are directly influenced by price fluctuation expectations. As a result, MSTY carries elevated risk — due to its highly concentrated exposure to MicroStrategy-linked derivatives — and may experience significant value swings, particularly during periods of sharp movements in the underlying stock.

The fund is intended for investors seeking potentially high income, with a clear understanding of the risks associated with concentrated exposure and intensive use of derivatives.

Structure and costs

Shares of MSTY are traded on the secondary market, while creation and redemption of shares are carried out by authorized participants, a mechanism that helps keep the ETF’s market price close to its net asset value (NAV).

The fund carries an expense ratio consistent with options-based income ETFs, does not charge a performance fee, and makes regular income distributions, primarily derived from option premiums. The ETF has a single share class and trades exclusively under the ticker MSTY.

History and evolution of the ETF

The YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF was launched in 2023, amid growing demand for high-income ETFs utilizing derivatives, particularly those linked to highly volatile underlying assets.

Since inception, MSTY has attracted investors with a higher risk tolerance, focused on monetizing volatility in MicroStrategy shares rather than pursuing traditional capital appreciation.

Between 2023 and 2024, the ETF reflected significant volatility in its underlying reference asset, driven by cryptocurrency market dynamics and shifts in risk appetite, establishing itself as a tactical income-focused instrument with elevated risk.