AIYY vs. ULTY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIYY (YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF) and ULTY (YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AIYY returned -57.47% vs 8.24% for ULTY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIYY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for ULTY.

Performance

AIYY vs. ULTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY) and YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIYY achieves a -24.26% return, which is significantly lower than ULTY's 11.14% return.

AIYY

• 1D: -3.43%
• 1M: 9.34%
• YTD: -24.26%
• 6M: -29.50%
• 1Y: -57.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ULTY

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 9.84%
• 1Y: 8.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIYY vs. ULTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIYY YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF	-24.26%	-58.98%	-19.87%
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	11.14%	-0.84%	0.54%

Correlation

The correlation between AIYY and ULTY is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2024	0.59

The correlation between AIYY and ULTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIYY vs. ULTY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AIYY

AIYY Risk / Return Rank: 2
AIYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
AIYY Martin Ratio Rank: 3

ULTY

ULTY Risk / Return Rank: 13
ULTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
ULTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
ULTY Omega Ratio Rank: 14
ULTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
ULTY Martin Ratio Rank: 12

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AIYY vs. ULTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY) and YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AIYY	ULTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	0.40	-1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.59	0.66	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.08	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.84	0.34	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	0.67	-1.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIYY vs. ULTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIYY Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the ULTY Sharpe Ratio of 0.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIYY and ULTY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIYY	ULTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.07	0.40	-1.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.83	0.17	-1.00

Drawdowns

AIYY vs. ULTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIYY drawdown since its inception was -79.48%, which is greater than ULTY's maximum drawdown of -26.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIYY and ULTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIYY	ULTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.48%	-26.85%	-52.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-68.33%	-24.16%	-44.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-75.26%	-8.88%	-66.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.04%	-9.37%	-31.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	47.63%	12.31%	+35.32%

Volatility

AIYY vs. ULTY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY) has a higher volatility of 15.67% compared to YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) at 4.51%. This indicates that AIYY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ULTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIYY	ULTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.67%	4.51%	+11.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.16%	15.03%	+24.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.83%	20.79%	+33.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.52%	26.92%	+23.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.52%	26.92%	+23.60%

AIYY vs. ULTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIYY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than ULTY's 1.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIYY vs. ULTY - Dividend Comparison

AIYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 158.78%, more than ULTY's 114.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIYY YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF	158.78%	168.33%	98.26%
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	114.67%	142.99%	111.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIYY and ULTY in my portfolio?

AIYY and ULTY have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIYY or ULTY?

AIYY has higher volatility (15.67%) compared to ULTY (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIYY dropped -79.48% vs ULTY's -26.85%.

Which ETF is better, AIYY or ULTY?

On 1-year performance, ULTY leads with 8.24% vs -57.47% for AIYY. On fees, AIYY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, ULTY has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIYY or ULTY?

Over the 1-year period, ULTY has performed better with a 8.24% return vs -57.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIYY or ULTY?

AIYY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ULTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIYY or ULTY?

AIYY has the higher dividend yield at 158.78%, compared with 114.67% for ULTY.

What is the main difference between AIYY and ULTY?

Their fees differ too: 0.99% for AIYY and 1.14% for ULTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ULTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.40 vs -1.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.