MARO vs. XYLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MARO (YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF) and XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. MARO is actively managed, while XYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, MARO returned -37.73% vs 18.90% for XYLD. Their 0.44 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. MARO charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XYLD.

Performance

MARO vs. XYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MARO achieves a 5.71% return, which is significantly lower than XYLD's 8.05% return.

MARO

• 1D: -2.09%
• 1M: -7.33%
• 6M: 4.46%
• YTD: 5.71%
• 1Y: -37.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -41.18%

XYLD

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 1.82%
• 6M: 6.81%
• YTD: 8.05%
• 1Y: 18.90%
• 3Y*: 11.51%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: 8.34%
• ALL TIME*: 8.37%

*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)
MARO YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF	$1.77M	$2.35M	$3.24M
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	$36.93M	$37.58M	$32.35M

MARO vs. XYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MARO YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF	5.71%	-48.05%	-23.63%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	8.05%	8.02%	1.83%

Correlation

The correlation between MARO and XYLD is 0.42, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2024	0.44

Return for Risk

MARO vs. XYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MARO

MARO Risk / Return Rank: 5
MARO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
MARO Omega Ratio Rank: 5
MARO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
MARO Martin Ratio Rank: 5

XYLD

XYLD Risk / Return Rank: 93
XYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
XYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 95
XYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
XYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

MARO vs. XYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD). 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	XYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.61	2.53	-3.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.63	3.60	-4.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.56	-0.64
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	3.40	-4.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	17.69	-18.63

MARO vs. XYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MARO Sharpe Ratio is -0.61, which is lower than the XYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MARO and XYLD, 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. XYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MARO drawdown since its inception was -71.75%, which is greater than XYLD's maximum drawdown of -33.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MARO and XYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MARO	XYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.75%	-33.46%	-38.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-65.51%	-5.29%	-60.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-59.72%	0.00%	-59.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.17%	-3.68%	-39.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	41.97%	1.02%	+40.95%

Volatility

MARO vs. XYLD - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) has a higher volatility of 26.53% compared to Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) at 1.92%. This indicates that MARO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MARO	XYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.53%	1.92%	+24.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.21%	5.97%	+46.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.49%	7.13%	+58.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	66.53%	11.27%	+55.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.53%	14.15%	+52.38%

MARO vs. XYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

MARO has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than XYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

MARO vs. XYLD - Dividend Comparison

MARO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 202.73%, more than XYLD's 10.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MARO YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF	202.73%	277.68%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XYLD Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF	10.53%	10.51%	11.54%	10.51%	13.43%	9.07%	7.93%	5.76%	7.12%	5.18%	3.23%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MARO and XYLD in my portfolio?

MARO and XYLD have a correlation of 0.42, 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 XYLD?

MARO has higher volatility (26.53%) compared to XYLD (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MARO dropped -71.75% vs XYLD's -33.46%.

Which ETF is better, MARO or XYLD?

On 1-year performance, XYLD leads with 18.90% vs -37.73% for MARO. On fees, XYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, XYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MARO or XYLD?

Over the 1-year period, XYLD has performed better with a 18.90% return vs -37.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MARO or XYLD?

XYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for MARO.

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

MARO has the higher dividend yield at 202.73%, compared with 10.53% for XYLD.

What is the main difference between MARO and XYLD?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for MARO and 0.60% for XYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs -0.61), 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.