Why is stETH less than ETH?

I'm puzzled by a question that's been lingering in my mind: why is stETH priced lower than ETH? It seems counterintuitive, given that both are derivatives of Ethereum and hold significant value in the crypto ecosystem. Could it be due to the different mechanisms underlying their issuance? Or perhaps investors perceive a higher risk in staking ETH compared to holding it outright? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, as a seasoned crypto practitioner. Is there something fundamental about the market dynamics or supply-demand equilibrium that's driving this price disparity? Understanding this could help investors make more informed decisions in this volatile but exciting space.