APLY vs. MSFU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APLY (YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF) and MSFU (Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - APLY is a Options Trading fund actively managed by YieldMax, while MSFU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Microsoft Corporation (150%). APLY is actively managed, while MSFU is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, APLY returned 8.87%/yr vs -9.21%/yr for MSFU. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. APLY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for MSFU.

Performance

APLY vs. MSFU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) and Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares (MSFU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APLY achieves a 4.06% return, which is significantly higher than MSFU's -45.68% return.

APLY

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: -4.43%
• YTD: 4.06%
• 6M: 3.68%
• 1Y: 30.98%
• 3Y*: 8.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSFU

• 1D: 2.99%
• 1M: -22.25%
• YTD: -45.68%
• 6M: -46.49%
• 1Y: -49.63%
• 3Y*: -9.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

APLY vs. MSFU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF	4.06%	4.69%	18.62%	11.43%
MSFU Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares	-45.68%	13.36%	5.80%	41.70%

Correlation

The correlation between APLY and MSFU is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2023	0.35

Over the past year, the correlation between APLY and MSFU has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.35, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

APLY vs. MSFU — Risk / Return Rank

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

APLY

APLY Risk / Return Rank: 52
APLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
APLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
APLY Omega Ratio Rank: 54
APLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
APLY Martin Ratio Rank: 43

MSFU

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

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. MSFU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) and Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares (MSFU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	APLY	MSFU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	-0.96	+2.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	-1.36	+3.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	0.83	+0.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	-0.83	+3.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.59	-1.50	+8.09

APLY vs. MSFU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APLY Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the MSFU Sharpe Ratio of -0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APLY and MSFU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

APLY vs. MSFU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APLY drawdown since its inception was -30.41%, smaller than the maximum MSFU drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APLY and MSFU.

Drawdown Indicators

	APLY	MSFU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.41%	-59.83%	+29.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-59.83%	+48.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.41%	-59.83%	+29.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.78%	-57.95%	+52.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.88%	-16.98%	+10.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.71%	33.19%	-28.48%

Volatility

APLY vs. MSFU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) is 5.60%, while Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares (MSFU) has a volatility of 22.49%. This indicates that APLY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APLY	MSFU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.60%	22.49%	-16.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	46.49%	-33.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.97%	51.94%	-33.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.93%	46.60%	-25.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.93%	46.60%	-25.67%

APLY vs. MSFU - Expense Ratio Comparison

APLY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than MSFU's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

APLY vs. MSFU - Dividend Comparison

APLY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 36.54%, more than MSFU's 14.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF	36.54%	36.38%	24.95%	14.36%	0.00%
MSFU Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares	14.56%	8.15%	7.00%	2.11%	0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APLY and MSFU in my portfolio?

APLY and MSFU have a correlation of 0.13, 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 MSFU?

MSFU has higher volatility (22.49%) compared to APLY (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APLY dropped -30.41% vs MSFU's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, APLY or MSFU?

On 3-year performance, APLY leads with 8.87% vs -9.21% for MSFU. On fees, APLY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, APLY has been the lower-risk option at 5.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APLY or MSFU?

Over the 3-year period, APLY has performed better with a 8.87% return vs -9.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APLY or MSFU?

APLY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for MSFU.

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

APLY has the higher dividend yield at 36.54%, compared with 14.56% for MSFU.

What is the main difference between APLY and MSFU?

APLY is categorized as Options Trading, while MSFU is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for APLY and 1.04% for MSFU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs -0.96), 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.