HOOY vs. BUYW

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

HOOY (YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF) and BUYW (Main Buywrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HOOY returned -15.45% vs 9.05% for BUYW. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. HOOY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BUYW.

Performance

HOOY vs. BUYW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF (HOOY) and Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HOOY achieves a -14.40% return, which is significantly lower than BUYW's 5.01% return.

HOOY

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -17.80%
• 6M: 16.22%
• YTD: -14.40%
• 1Y: -15.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 33.56%

BUYW

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.78%
• 6M: 4.56%
• YTD: 5.01%
• 1Y: 9.05%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.94%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	$5.87M	$5.05M	$4.89M
HOOY YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF	$3.40M	$4.54M	$3.96M

HOOY vs. BUYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HOOY YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF	-14.40%	67.41%
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.01%	9.12%

Correlation

The correlation between HOOY and BUYW is 0.37, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2025	0.34

Return for Risk

HOOY vs. BUYW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HOOY

HOOY Risk / Return Rank: 7
HOOY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
HOOY Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
HOOY Omega Ratio Rank: 9
HOOY Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
HOOY Martin Ratio Rank: 7

BUYW

BUYW Risk / Return Rank: 80
BUYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
BUYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BUYW Omega Ratio Rank: 76
BUYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
BUYW Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HOOY vs. BUYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF (HOOY) and Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW). 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.

	HOOY	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	1.86	-2.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.01	2.76	-2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.36	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.30	3.51	-3.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.50	18.65	-19.15

HOOY vs. BUYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HOOY Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the BUYW Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HOOY and BUYW, 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

HOOY vs. BUYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HOOY drawdown since its inception was -51.54%, which is greater than BUYW's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HOOY and BUYW.

Drawdown Indicators

	HOOY	BUYW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.54%	-9.36%	-42.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-51.54%	-2.59%	-48.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.21%	-0.48%	-35.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.72%	-0.59%	-21.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	31.21%	0.49%	+30.72%

Volatility

HOOY vs. BUYW - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF (HOOY) has a higher volatility of 14.88% compared to Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW) at 1.25%. This indicates that HOOY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HOOY	BUYW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.88%	1.25%	+13.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.50%	3.96%	+39.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.97%	4.89%	+52.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	54.46%	8.33%	+46.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.46%	8.33%	+46.13%

HOOY vs. BUYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

HOOY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than BUYW's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

HOOY vs. BUYW - Dividend Comparison

HOOY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 140.49%, more than BUYW's 5.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.91%	5.89%	5.93%	5.95%	0.50%
HOOY YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF	140.49%	82.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HOOY and BUYW in my portfolio?

HOOY and BUYW 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, HOOY or BUYW?

HOOY has higher volatility (14.88%) compared to BUYW (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HOOY dropped -51.54% vs BUYW's -9.36%.

Which ETF is better, HOOY or BUYW?

On 1-year performance, BUYW leads with 9.05% vs -15.45% for HOOY. On fees, HOOY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, BUYW has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HOOY or BUYW?

Over the 1-year period, BUYW has performed better with a 9.05% return vs -15.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HOOY or BUYW?

HOOY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BUYW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HOOY or BUYW?

HOOY has the higher dividend yield at 140.49%, compared with 5.91% for BUYW.

What is the main difference between HOOY and BUYW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Main. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for HOOY and 1.29% for BUYW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 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.