BABO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BABO (YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BABO is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. BABO is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, BABO returned -9.47% vs 23.59% for SPY. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BABO charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BABO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BABO achieves a -26.68% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

BABO

• 1D: -2.37%
• 1M: -17.19%
• YTD: -26.68%
• 6M: -28.29%
• 1Y: -9.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

BABO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	-26.68%	46.84%	0.65%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	13.73%

Correlation

The correlation between BABO and SPY is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2024	0.32

Return for Risk

BABO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BABO

BABO Risk / Return Rank: 6
BABO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
BABO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
BABO Omega Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BABO Martin Ratio Rank: 6

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	1.90	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.17	2.58	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.34	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.25	2.67	-2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.58	11.92	-12.50

BABO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BABO Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BABO and SPY, 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. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABO drawdown since its inception was -38.40%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.40%	-55.19%	+16.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.40%	-8.88%	-29.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.40%	-3.17%	-35.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.18%	-9.04%	-5.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.30%	1.98%	+14.32%

Volatility

BABO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) has a higher volatility of 6.65% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that BABO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BABO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.65%	4.87%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.44%	9.85%	+14.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.28%	12.50%	+22.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.54%	17.15%	+19.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.54%	17.95%	+18.59%

BABO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BABO has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BABO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BABO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 102.95%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BABO YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF	102.95%	85.50%	20.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BABO and SPY in my portfolio?

BABO and SPY have a correlation of 0.37, 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 SPY?

BABO has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABO dropped -38.40% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BABO or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 23.59% vs -9.47% for BABO. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BABO or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 23.59% return vs -9.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BABO or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for BABO.

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

BABO has the higher dividend yield at 102.95%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between BABO and SPY?

BABO is categorized as Derivative Income, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for BABO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs -0.27), 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.