APLY vs. ISWN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

APLY (YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF) and ISWN (Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF) are both Options Trading funds. APLY is actively managed, while ISWN is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, APLY returned 11.75%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for ISWN. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. APLY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISWN.

Performance

APLY vs. ISWN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APLY achieves a 9.41% return, which is significantly higher than ISWN's 4.28% return.

APLY

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 9.06%
• YTD: 9.41%
• 6M: 5.60%
• 1Y: 36.14%
• 3Y*: 11.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISWN

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 4.94%
• 1Y: 13.27%
• 3Y*: 8.12%
• 5Y*: -0.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

APLY vs. ISWN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF	9.41%	4.69%	18.62%	11.44%
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	4.28%	23.23%	-3.96%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between APLY and ISWN is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2023	0.33

Return for Risk

APLY vs. ISWN — Risk / Return Rank

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

APLY

APLY Risk / Return Rank: 57
APLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
APLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
APLY Omega Ratio Rank: 60
APLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
APLY Martin Ratio Rank: 47

ISWN

ISWN Risk / Return Rank: 30
ISWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Omega Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

APLY vs. ISWN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). 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.

	APLY	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.09	+0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	1.60	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.20	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	1.38	+1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.87	4.67	+3.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

APLY vs. ISWN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APLY Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the ISWN Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APLY and ISWN, 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

	APLY	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	1.09	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.01	+0.67

Drawdowns

APLY vs. ISWN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APLY drawdown since its inception was -30.41%, smaller than the maximum ISWN drawdown of -32.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APLY and ISWN.

Drawdown Indicators

	APLY	ISWN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.41%	-32.35%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-9.63%	-2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.41%	-13.77%	-16.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.93%	-4.03%	+3.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-16.17%	+9.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	2.85%	+1.75%

Volatility

APLY vs. ISWN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) is 4.12%, while Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that APLY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APLY	ISWN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.67%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	10.10%	+2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.99%	12.20%	+5.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.97%	11.67%	+9.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	11.57%	+9.40%

APLY vs. ISWN - Expense Ratio Comparison

APLY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than ISWN's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

APLY vs. ISWN - Dividend Comparison

APLY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.76%, more than ISWN's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF	34.76%	36.38%	24.95%	14.36%	0.00%	0.00%
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	2.82%	2.89%	3.27%	2.91%	2.00%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APLY and ISWN in my portfolio?

APLY and ISWN have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APLY or ISWN?

ISWN has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to APLY (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APLY dropped -30.41% vs ISWN's -32.35%.

Which ETF is better, APLY or ISWN?

On 3-year performance, APLY leads with 11.75% vs 8.12% for ISWN. On fees, ISWN is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, APLY has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APLY or ISWN?

Over the 3-year period, APLY has performed better with a 11.75% return vs 8.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APLY or ISWN?

ISWN is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for APLY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, APLY or ISWN?

APLY has the higher dividend yield at 34.76%, compared with 2.82% for ISWN.

What is the main difference between APLY and ISWN?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for APLY and 0.49% for ISWN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.09), 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.