MARO vs. MSTY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

MARO (YieldMax MARA 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, MARO returned -43.81% vs -73.76% for MSTY. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

MARO vs. MSTY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MARO achieves a 14.15% return, which is significantly higher than MSTY's -35.55% return.

MARO

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -8.22%
• 6M: 2.46%
• YTD: 14.15%
• 1Y: -43.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MSTY

• 1D: -2.03%
• 1M: -23.27%
• 6M: -39.01%
• YTD: -35.55%
• 1Y: -73.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MARO vs. MSTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MARO YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF	14.15%	-48.05%	-23.63%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-35.55%	-42.71%	-14.02%

Correlation

The correlation between MARO and MSTY is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.63

The correlation between MARO and MSTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MARO vs. MSTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MARO

MARO Risk / Return Rank: 4
MARO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Omega Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Martin Ratio Rank: 4

MSTY

MSTY Risk / Return Rank: 1
MSTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
MSTY Omega Ratio Rank: 0
MSTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
MSTY Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

MARO vs. MSTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) 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.

	MARO	MSTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.69	-1.15	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.82	-2.35	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	0.75	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.67	-0.95	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.07	-1.41	+0.34

MARO vs. MSTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MARO Sharpe Ratio is -0.69, which is higher than the MSTY Sharpe Ratio of -1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MARO 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

MARO vs. MSTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MARO drawdown since its inception was -71.75%, smaller than the maximum MSTY drawdown of -77.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MARO and MSTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MARO	MSTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.75%	-77.40%	+5.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-65.51%	-77.40%	+11.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-56.50%	-74.66%	+18.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.64%	-28.01%	-14.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	40.95%	52.19%	-11.24%

Volatility

MARO vs. MSTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) is 19.08%, while YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a volatility of 23.76%. This indicates that MARO 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

	MARO	MSTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.08%	23.76%	-4.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.30%	53.06%	-3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	63.58%	64.61%	-1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	65.58%	72.32%	-6.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	65.58%	72.32%	-6.74%

MARO vs. MSTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

MARO vs. MSTY - Dividend Comparison

MARO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 218.17%, less than MSTY's 289.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
MARO YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF	218.17%	277.68%	0.00%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	289.43%	294.61%	104.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MARO and MSTY in my portfolio?

MARO and MSTY have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MARO or MSTY?

MSTY has higher volatility (23.76%) compared to MARO (19.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MARO dropped -71.75% vs MSTY's -77.40%.

Which ETF is better, MARO or MSTY?

On 1-year performance, MARO leads with -43.81% vs -73.76% for MSTY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, MARO has been the lower-risk option at 19.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MARO or MSTY?

Over the 1-year period, MARO has performed better with a -43.81% return vs -73.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MARO or MSTY?

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

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

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 289.43%, compared with 218.17% for MARO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MARO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.69 vs -1.15), 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.