BABO vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BABO (YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BABO is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BABO returned -1.50% vs 8.12% for BGLD. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BABO charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

BABO vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BABO achieves a -20.64% return, which is significantly lower than BGLD's -2.58% return.

BABO

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -16.79%
• YTD: -20.64%
• 6M: -24.20%
• 1Y: -1.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -3.90%
• YTD: -2.58%
• 6M: -3.54%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: —

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

BABO vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	-20.64%	46.84%	0.65%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	-2.58%	33.03%	10.12%

Correlation

The correlation between BABO and BGLD 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2024	0.16

Return for Risk

BABO vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BABO

BABO Risk / Return Rank: 8
BABO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BABO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BABO Omega Ratio Rank: 9
BABO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
BABO Martin Ratio Rank: 8

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 22
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 24
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

BABO vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	BABO	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.12	0.73	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	1.04	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.15	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.13	0.79	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.28	2.37	-2.65

BABO vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BABO Sharpe Ratio is -0.12, which is lower than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BABO and BGLD, 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

BABO vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABO drawdown since its inception was -33.33%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABO and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABO	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.33%	-16.19%	-17.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.33%	-11.42%	-21.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.33%	-9.90%	-23.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.90%	-3.67%	-10.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.34%	3.82%	+11.52%

Volatility

BABO vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) has a higher volatility of 8.72% compared to FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) at 4.02%. This indicates that BABO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BABO	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.72%	4.02%	+4.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.44%	10.61%	+13.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.33%	12.42%	+22.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.67%	10.09%	+26.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.67%	9.99%	+26.68%

BABO vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BABO has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

BABO vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

BABO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 98.48%, more than BGLD's 45.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	98.48%	85.50%	20.65%	0.00%	0.00%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	45.50%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BABO and BGLD in my portfolio?

BABO and BGLD 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, BABO or BGLD?

BABO has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to BGLD (4.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABO dropped -33.33% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, BABO or BGLD?

On 1-year performance, BGLD leads with 8.12% vs -1.50% for BABO. On fees, BGLD is cheaper at 0.91% per year. On volatility, BGLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BABO or BGLD?

Over the 1-year period, BGLD has performed better with a 8.12% return vs -1.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BABO or BGLD?

BGLD is cheaper with a 0.91% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for BABO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BABO or BGLD?

BABO has the higher dividend yield at 98.48%, compared with 45.50% for BGLD.

What is the main difference between BABO and BGLD?

BABO is categorized as Derivative Income, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for BABO and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.73 vs -0.12), 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.