PLTY vs. PLTU

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

PLTY (YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and PLTU (Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while PLTU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PLTY returned -7.16% vs -42.39% for PLTU. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for PLTU.

Performance

PLTY vs. PLTU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF (PLTU). 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 higher than PLTU's -57.34% return.

PLTY

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

PLTU

• 1D: 5.10%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: -57.71%
• YTD: -57.34%
• 1Y: -42.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTY vs. PLTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-19.50%	78.06%	7.01%
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF	-57.34%	223.17%	14.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTY and PLTU is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.99

The correlation between PLTY and PLTU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTY vs. PLTU — 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

PLTU

PLTU Risk / Return Rank: 6
PLTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PLTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PLTU Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PLTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PLTU Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. PLTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF (PLTU). 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	PLTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	-0.41	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	-0.02	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.00	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	-0.54	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.35	-0.93	+0.58

PLTY vs. PLTU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is higher than the PLTU Sharpe Ratio of -0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTY and PLTU, 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. PLTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTY drawdown since its inception was -41.36%, smaller than the maximum PLTU drawdown of -79.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTY and PLTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTY	PLTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.36%	-79.43%	+38.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.36%	-79.43%	+38.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.18%	-70.34%	+40.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-34.38%	+20.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.47%	45.48%	-25.01%

Volatility

PLTY vs. PLTU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) is 14.18%, while Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF (PLTU) has a volatility of 32.91%. This indicates that PLTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLTU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTY	PLTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.18%	32.91%	-18.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.44%	79.51%	-46.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.34%	103.12%	-59.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.49%	125.99%	-73.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.49%	125.99%	-73.50%

PLTY vs. PLTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTU's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTY vs. PLTU - Dividend Comparison

PLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 119.47%, more than PLTU's 55.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X ETF	55.89%	23.29%	0.12%
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	119.47%	112.44%	7.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTY and PLTU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, PLTY and PLTU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PLTY or PLTU?

PLTU has higher volatility (32.91%) compared to PLTY (14.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTY dropped -41.36% vs PLTU's -79.43%.

Which ETF is better, PLTY or PLTU?

On 1-year performance, PLTY leads with -7.16% vs -42.39% for PLTU. On fees, PLTU is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, PLTY has been the lower-risk option at 14.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTY or PLTU?

Over the 1-year period, PLTY has performed better with a -7.16% return vs -42.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTY or PLTU?

PLTU is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for PLTY.

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

PLTY has the higher dividend yield at 119.47%, compared with 55.89% for PLTU.

What is the main difference between PLTY and PLTU?

PLTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while PLTU is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for PLTY and 0.86% for PLTU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.17 vs -0.41), 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.