OARK vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

OARK (YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OARK is a Options Trading fund actively managed by YieldMax, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. OARK is actively managed, while VYM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, OARK returned 12.99%/yr vs 17.42%/yr for VYM. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. OARK charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

OARK vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 VYM's 11.57% return.

OARK

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

VYM

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 11.57%
• 6M: 11.72%
• 1Y: 25.29%
• 3Y*: 17.42%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 11.78%

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

OARK vs. VYM - 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%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	11.57%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-2.57%

Correlation

The correlation between OARK and VYM is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2022	0.51

The correlation between OARK and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OARK vs. VYM — 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

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 80
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.44	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.48	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.44	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	3.79	-2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.39	14.13	-11.74

OARK vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OARK Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OARK and VYM, 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. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OARK drawdown since its inception was -35.48%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OARK and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	OARK	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.48%	-56.98%	+21.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.26%	-6.69%	-16.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.48%	-14.46%	-21.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.84%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.20%	-1.23%	-3.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.54%	-7.18%	-3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.94%	1.79%	+8.15%

Volatility

OARK vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) has a higher volatility of 9.51% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 3.06%. This indicates that OARK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OARK	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.51%	3.06%	+6.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.26%	7.65%	+13.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.57%	10.39%	+18.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.95%	13.95%	+17.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.95%	16.35%	+14.60%

OARK vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

OARK has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

OARK vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

OARK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 60.86%, more than VYM's 2.84% 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%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.84%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OARK and VYM in my portfolio?

OARK and VYM have a correlation of 0.46, 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 VYM?

OARK has higher volatility (9.51%) compared to VYM (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OARK dropped -35.48% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, OARK or VYM?

On 3-year performance, VYM leads with 17.42% vs 12.99% for OARK. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OARK or VYM?

Over the 3-year period, VYM has performed better with a 17.42% 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 VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for OARK.

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

OARK has the higher dividend yield at 60.86%, compared with 2.84% for VYM.

What is the main difference between OARK and VYM?

OARK is categorized as Options Trading, while VYM is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for OARK and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.