MSTY vs. CAOS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MSTY (YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MSTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, MSTY returned -68.40% vs 1.73% for CAOS. Their -0.14 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. MSTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

MSTY vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSTY achieves a -33.29% return, which is significantly lower than CAOS's 0.76% return.

MSTY

• 1D: -2.60%
• 1M: -2.63%
• 6M: -31.98%
• YTD: -33.29%
• 1Y: -68.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.52%

CAOS

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 1Y: 1.73%
• 3Y*: 3.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.70%

*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)
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	$6.81M	$5.39M	$5.09M
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	$12.71M	$13.42M	$28.94M

MSTY vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-33.29%	-42.71%	212.16%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.76%	2.55%	4.71%

Correlation

The correlation between MSTY and CAOS is -0.20, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2024	-0.14

Return for Risk

MSTY vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSTY

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

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 56
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

MSTY vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.

	MSTY	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.09	1.19	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.13	1.89	-4.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.77	1.24	-0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	2.47	-3.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.40	5.45	-6.85

MSTY vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSTY Sharpe Ratio is -1.09, which is lower than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSTY and CAOS, 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

MSTY vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSTY drawdown since its inception was -77.40%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTY and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSTY	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.40%	-3.89%	-73.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-74.91%	-0.76%	-74.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-73.77%	-1.13%	-72.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.05%	-0.92%	-28.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	50.99%	0.34%	+50.65%

Volatility

MSTY vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) has a higher volatility of 14.46% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that MSTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSTY	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.46%	0.51%	+13.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.28%	1.07%	+51.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.31%	1.57%	+63.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	71.91%	4.18%	+67.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	71.91%	4.18%	+67.73%

MSTY vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSTY vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

MSTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 251.54%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	251.54%	294.61%	104.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSTY and CAOS in my portfolio?

MSTY and CAOS have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSTY or CAOS?

MSTY has higher volatility (14.46%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTY dropped -77.40% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, MSTY or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, CAOS leads with 1.73% vs -68.40% for MSTY. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MSTY or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, CAOS has performed better with a 1.73% return vs -68.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MSTY or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for MSTY.

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

MSTY has the higher dividend yield at 251.54%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between MSTY and CAOS?

MSTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for MSTY and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs -1.09), 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.