BABO vs. MSTY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BABO (YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF) and MSTY (YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BABO returned -7.22% vs -65.11% for MSTY. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

BABO vs. MSTY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BABO having a -24.90% return and MSTY slightly higher at -24.36%.

BABO

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -15.18%
• YTD: -24.90%
• 6M: -26.39%
• 1Y: -7.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSTY

• 1D: -1.97%
• 1M: -28.49%
• YTD: -24.36%
• 6M: -28.98%
• 1Y: -65.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BABO vs. MSTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	-24.90%	46.84%	0.65%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-24.36%	-42.71%	88.33%

Correlation

The correlation between BABO and MSTY is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2024	0.27

Return for Risk

BABO vs. MSTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BABO

BABO Risk / Return Rank: 7
BABO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Martin Ratio Rank: 7

MSTY

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

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. MSTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) and YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY). 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	MSTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	-1.05	+0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.06	-1.88	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	0.79	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.20	-0.91	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.45	-1.33	+0.88

BABO vs. MSTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BABO Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is higher than the MSTY Sharpe Ratio of -1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BABO and MSTY, 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. MSTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABO drawdown since its inception was -36.91%, smaller than the maximum MSTY drawdown of -71.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABO and MSTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABO	MSTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.91%	-71.79%	+34.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.91%	-71.79%	+34.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.91%	-70.26%	+33.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.13%	-26.90%	+12.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.11%	49.15%	-33.04%

Volatility

BABO vs. MSTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) is 6.55%, while YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a volatility of 19.16%. This indicates that BABO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BABO	MSTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.55%	19.16%	-12.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.37%	49.48%	-25.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.28%	62.00%	-26.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.54%	71.81%	-35.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.54%	71.81%	-35.27%

BABO vs. MSTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BABO and MSTY have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

BABO vs. MSTY - Dividend Comparison

BABO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 100.51%, less than MSTY's 273.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	100.51%	85.50%	20.65%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	273.05%	294.61%	104.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BABO and MSTY in my portfolio?

BABO and MSTY have a correlation of 0.31, 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 MSTY?

MSTY has higher volatility (19.16%) compared to BABO (6.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABO dropped -36.91% vs MSTY's -71.79%.

Which ETF is better, BABO or MSTY?

On 1-year performance, BABO leads with -7.22% vs -65.11% for MSTY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, BABO has been the lower-risk option at 6.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BABO or MSTY?

Over the 1-year period, BABO has performed better with a -7.22% return vs -65.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BABO or MSTY?

BABO and MSTY have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

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

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 273.05%, compared with 100.51% for BABO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BABO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.21 vs -1.05), 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.