PLTY vs. BUYW

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

PLTY (YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and BUYW (Main Buywrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PLTY returned -7.16% vs 9.27% for BUYW. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PLTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BUYW.

Performance

PLTY vs. BUYW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTY achieves a -19.50% return, which is significantly lower than BUYW's 4.70% return.

PLTY

• 1D: 2.13%
• 1M: 1.84%
• 6M: -19.72%
• YTD: -19.50%
• 1Y: -7.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUYW

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 1.34%
• 6M: 4.27%
• YTD: 4.70%
• 1Y: 9.27%
• 3Y*: 8.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTY vs. BUYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-19.50%	78.06%	52.50%
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	4.70%	9.08%	1.81%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTY and BUYW is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2024	0.35

Return for Risk

PLTY vs. BUYW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTY

PLTY Risk / Return Rank: 8
PLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
PLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 7

BUYW

BUYW Risk / Return Rank: 83
BUYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BUYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BUYW Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BUYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BUYW Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. BUYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW). 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	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	1.92	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	2.86	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.37	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	3.60	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.35	19.17	-19.52

PLTY vs. BUYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the BUYW Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTY and BUYW, 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. BUYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTY drawdown since its inception was -41.36%, which is greater than BUYW's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTY and BUYW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTY	BUYW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.36%	-9.36%	-32.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.36%	-2.59%	-38.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.18%	0.00%	-30.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-0.59%	-13.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.47%	0.48%	+19.99%

Volatility

PLTY vs. BUYW - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) has a higher volatility of 14.18% compared to Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW) at 1.35%. This indicates that PLTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTY	BUYW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.18%	1.35%	+12.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.44%	3.90%	+29.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.34%	4.86%	+38.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.49%	8.39%	+44.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.49%	8.39%	+44.10%

PLTY vs. BUYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than BUYW's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTY vs. BUYW - Dividend Comparison

PLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 119.47%, more than BUYW's 5.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.88%	5.89%	5.93%	5.95%	0.50%
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	119.47%	112.44%	7.85%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTY and BUYW in my portfolio?

PLTY and BUYW have a correlation of 0.30, 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 BUYW?

PLTY has higher volatility (14.18%) compared to BUYW (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTY dropped -41.36% vs BUYW's -9.36%.

Which ETF is better, PLTY or BUYW?

On 1-year performance, BUYW leads with 9.27% vs -7.16% for PLTY. On fees, PLTY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, BUYW has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTY or BUYW?

Over the 1-year period, BUYW has performed better with a 9.27% return vs -7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTY or BUYW?

PLTY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BUYW.

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

PLTY has the higher dividend yield at 119.47%, compared with 5.88% for BUYW.

What is the main difference between PLTY and BUYW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Main Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for PLTY and 1.29% for BUYW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs -0.17), 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.