OARK vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

OARK (YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OARK is a Options Trading fund actively managed by YieldMax, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. OARK is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, OARK returned 12.99%/yr vs 14.59%/yr for QYLD. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. OARK charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

OARK vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OARK achieves a 7.87% return, which is significantly lower than QYLD's 10.20% return.

OARK

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: 3.77%
• YTD: 7.87%
• 6M: 5.24%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: 12.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QYLD

• 1D: 2.43%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 10.20%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

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

OARK vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
OARK YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF	7.87%	20.37%	7.32%	20.12%	-9.11%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	10.20%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-1.75%

Correlation

The correlation between OARK and QYLD is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2022	0.65

The correlation between OARK and QYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OARK vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

OARK

OARK Risk / Return Rank: 23
OARK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
OARK Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
OARK Omega Ratio Rank: 23
OARK Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
OARK Martin Ratio Rank: 20

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 91
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

OARK vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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.

	OARK	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.70	-1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.84	-2.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.60	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	5.16	-4.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.39	29.06	-26.66

OARK vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OARK Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OARK and QYLD, 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

OARK vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OARK drawdown since its inception was -35.48%, which is greater than QYLD's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OARK and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	OARK	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.48%	-24.75%	-10.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.26%	-4.97%	-18.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.48%	-19.06%	-16.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.20%	0.00%	-5.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.54%	-3.83%	-6.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.94%	0.88%	+9.06%

Volatility

OARK vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) has a higher volatility of 9.51% compared to Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) at 4.30%. This indicates that OARK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OARK	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.51%	4.30%	+5.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.26%	8.24%	+13.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.57%	9.49%	+19.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.95%	14.81%	+16.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.95%	15.54%	+15.41%

OARK vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

OARK has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

OARK vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

OARK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 60.86%, more than QYLD's 11.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OARK YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF	60.86%	61.86%	47.86%	45.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.22%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OARK and QYLD in my portfolio?

OARK and QYLD have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OARK or QYLD?

OARK has higher volatility (9.51%) compared to QYLD (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OARK dropped -35.48% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, OARK or QYLD?

On 3-year performance, QYLD leads with 14.59% vs 12.99% for OARK. On fees, QYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OARK or QYLD?

Over the 3-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 14.59% return vs 12.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OARK or QYLD?

QYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for OARK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OARK or QYLD?

OARK has the higher dividend yield at 60.86%, compared with 11.22% for QYLD.

What is the main difference between OARK and QYLD?

OARK is categorized as Options Trading, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for OARK and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 0.84), 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.