PLTY vs. BUCK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PLTY (YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and BUCK (Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while BUCK is a Government Bonds fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PLTY returned -14.92% vs 6.93% for BUCK. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BUCK.

Performance

PLTY vs. BUCK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTY achieves a -26.92% return, which is significantly lower than BUCK's 2.12% return.

PLTY

• 1D: -2.42%
• 1M: -12.09%
• YTD: -26.92%
• 6M: -32.83%
• 1Y: -14.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUCK

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 2.12%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 6.93%
• 3Y*: 5.24%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTY vs. BUCK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-26.92%	78.06%	52.50%
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	2.12%	4.13%	1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTY and BUCK is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2024	0.04

Return for Risk

PLTY vs. BUCK — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTY

PLTY Risk / Return Rank: 6
PLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 6
PLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BUCK

BUCK Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BUCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BUCK Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BUCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BUCK 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.

PLTY vs. BUCK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). 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.

	PLTY	BUCK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.35	2.34	-2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.21	3.44	-3.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.50	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.41	5.32	-5.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.79	28.71	-29.50

PLTY vs. BUCK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.35, which is lower than the BUCK Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTY and BUCK, 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

PLTY vs. BUCK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTY drawdown since its inception was -36.62%, which is greater than BUCK's maximum drawdown of -5.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTY and BUCK.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTY	BUCK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.62%	-5.43%	-31.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.62%	-1.31%	-35.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.62%	-0.04%	-36.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.27%	-0.49%	-12.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.00%	0.24%	+18.76%

Volatility

PLTY vs. BUCK - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) has a higher volatility of 16.40% compared to Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) at 0.28%. This indicates that PLTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUCK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTY	BUCK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.40%	0.28%	+16.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.73%	1.37%	+31.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.35%	2.98%	+40.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.67%	3.46%	+49.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.67%	3.46%	+49.21%

PLTY vs. BUCK - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than BUCK's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTY vs. BUCK - Dividend Comparison

PLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 125.34%, more than BUCK's 7.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	7.40%	7.59%	8.84%	4.84%	0.59%
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	125.34%	112.44%	7.85%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTY and BUCK in my portfolio?

PLTY and BUCK have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTY or BUCK?

PLTY has higher volatility (16.40%) compared to BUCK (0.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTY dropped -36.62% vs BUCK's -5.43%.

Which ETF is better, PLTY or BUCK?

On 1-year performance, BUCK leads with 6.93% vs -14.92% for PLTY. On fees, BUCK is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BUCK has been the lower-risk option at 0.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTY or BUCK?

Over the 1-year period, BUCK has performed better with a 6.93% return vs -14.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTY or BUCK?

BUCK is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for PLTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PLTY or BUCK?

PLTY has the higher dividend yield at 125.34%, compared with 7.40% for BUCK.

What is the main difference between PLTY and BUCK?

PLTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while BUCK is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for PLTY and 0.35% for BUCK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUCK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs -0.35), 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.