ESML vs. SLTY
ESML (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF) and SLTY (YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESML is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index, while SLTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. ESML is passively managed, while SLTY is actively managed. At a correlation of -0.64, they often move in opposite directions. ESML charges 0.17%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for SLTY.
Performance
ESML vs. SLTY - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESML achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than SLTY's -6.01% return.
ESML
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- 3.86%
- YTD
- 16.26%
- 6M
- 15.99%
- 1Y
- 34.21%
- 3Y*
- 17.27%
- 5Y*
- 7.18%
- 10Y*
- —
SLTY
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- -1.73%
- YTD
- -6.01%
- 6M
- -5.54%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESML vs. SLTY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 16.26% | 7.80% |
SLTY YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF | -6.01% | -12.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESML and SLTY is -0.64, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2025 | -0.64 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ESML vs. SLTY — Risk / Return Rank
ESML
SLTY
ESML vs. SLTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF (SLTY). 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.
| ESML | SLTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.80 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.00 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESML | SLTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.46 | -1.19 | +1.65 |
Drawdowns
ESML vs. SLTY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESML drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, which is greater than SLTY's maximum drawdown of -20.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESML and SLTY.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ESML | SLTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.97% | -20.88% | -21.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.68% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.61% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.47% | -17.45% | +16.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.97% | -13.72% | +4.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | — | — |
Volatility
ESML vs. SLTY - Volatility Comparison
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ESML | SLTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.25% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.67% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.66% | 18.42% | -1.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.23% | 18.42% | +2.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.40% | 18.42% | +4.98% |
ESML vs. SLTY - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESML has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than SLTY's 1.24% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESML vs. SLTY - Dividend Comparison
ESML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than SLTY's 74.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF | 0.95% | 1.08% | 1.22% | 1.31% | 1.46% | 0.94% | 0.99% | 1.10% | 1.07% |
SLTY YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF | 74.24% | 29.68% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESML and SLTY have a correlation of -0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, ESML is cheaper at 0.17% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ESML is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 1.24% for SLTY.
SLTY has the higher dividend yield at 74.24%, compared with 0.95% for ESML.
ESML is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while SLTY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for ESML and 1.24% for SLTY.
Find the right allocation for ESML and SLTY
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer