MSFO vs. CTIF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MSFO (YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF) and CTIF (Castellan Targeted Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MSFO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by YieldMax, while CTIF is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Castellan. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MSFO returned -3.86% vs 13.36% for CTIF. Their 0.22 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. MSFO charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for CTIF.

Performance

MSFO vs. CTIF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) and Castellan Targeted Income ETF (CTIF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSFO achieves a 0.49% return, which is significantly lower than CTIF's 9.32% return.

MSFO

• 1D: 4.63%
• 1M: 20.78%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 1Y: -3.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.38%

CTIF

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 4.08%
• 6M: 7.06%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 1Y: 13.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.28%

*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)
CTIF Castellan Targeted Income ETF	$185.99K	$160.92K	$255.19K
MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF	$1.07M	$907.81K	$1.05M

MSFO vs. CTIF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF	0.49%	0.26%
CTIF Castellan Targeted Income ETF	9.32%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between MSFO and CTIF is 0.21, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

MSFO vs. CTIF — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSFO

MSFO Risk / Return Rank: 9
MSFO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
MSFO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
MSFO Omega Ratio Rank: 9
MSFO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
MSFO Martin Ratio Rank: 9

CTIF

CTIF Risk / Return Rank: 35
CTIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
CTIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CTIF Omega Ratio Rank: 32
CTIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
CTIF Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

MSFO vs. CTIF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) and Castellan Targeted Income ETF (CTIF). 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.

	MSFO	CTIF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.14	0.86	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.01	1.29	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.15	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.13	1.17	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.24	4.27	-4.51

MSFO vs. CTIF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSFO Sharpe Ratio is -0.14, which is lower than the CTIF Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSFO and CTIF, 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

MSFO vs. CTIF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSFO drawdown since its inception was -29.65%, which is greater than CTIF's maximum drawdown of -9.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFO and CTIF.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSFO	CTIF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.65%	-9.43%	-20.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.65%	-9.43%	-20.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.92%	-0.25%	-7.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.46%	-1.76%	-5.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.15%	2.59%	+13.56%

Volatility

MSFO vs. CTIF - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) has a higher volatility of 14.36% compared to Castellan Targeted Income ETF (CTIF) at 3.85%. This indicates that MSFO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CTIF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSFO	CTIF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.36%	3.85%	+10.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.34%	9.76%	+13.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.74%	12.83%	+14.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.90%	12.61%	+9.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.90%	12.61%	+9.29%

MSFO vs. CTIF - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSFO has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than CTIF's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSFO vs. CTIF - Dividend Comparison

MSFO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.78%, more than CTIF's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CTIF Castellan Targeted Income ETF	4.75%	2.55%	0.00%	0.00%
MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF	34.78%	33.91%	35.15%	6.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSFO and CTIF in my portfolio?

MSFO and CTIF have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSFO or CTIF?

MSFO has higher volatility (14.36%) compared to CTIF (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFO dropped -29.65% vs CTIF's -9.43%.

Which ETF is better, MSFO or CTIF?

On 1-year performance, CTIF leads with 13.36% vs -3.86% for MSFO. On fees, CTIF is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, CTIF has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MSFO or CTIF?

Over the 1-year period, CTIF has performed better with a 13.36% return vs -3.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MSFO or CTIF?

CTIF is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for MSFO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MSFO or CTIF?

MSFO has the higher dividend yield at 34.78%, compared with 4.75% for CTIF.

What is the main difference between MSFO and CTIF?

MSFO is categorized as Options Trading, while CTIF is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Castellan. Their fees differ too: 1.03% for MSFO and 0.45% for CTIF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTIF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs -0.14), 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.