PLTY vs. YMAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PLTY (YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while YMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PLTY returned 11.69% vs 12.05% for YMAX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLTY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.28%/yr for YMAX.

Performance

PLTY vs. YMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTY achieves a -8.48% return, which is significantly lower than YMAX's 7.89% return.

PLTY

• 1D: -3.89%
• 1M: 7.45%
• YTD: -8.48%
• 6M: -7.00%
• 1Y: 11.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YMAX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 8.60%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 12.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTY vs. YMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-8.48%	78.06%	49.98%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	7.89%	6.04%	10.25%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTY and YMAX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2024	0.62

The correlation between PLTY and YMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLTY vs. YMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTY

PLTY Risk / Return Rank: 13
PLTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
PLTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
PLTY Omega Ratio Rank: 15
PLTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
PLTY Martin Ratio Rank: 12

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 16
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. YMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX). 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.

	PLTY	YMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	0.56	-0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	0.88	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.11	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.36	0.49	-0.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.70	1.17	-0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTY vs. YMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTY Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the YMAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTY and YMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLTY	YMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	0.56	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.38	0.73	+0.64

Drawdowns

PLTY vs. YMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTY drawdown since its inception was -36.61%, which is greater than YMAX's maximum drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTY and YMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTY	YMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.61%	-26.13%	-10.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.41%	-26.13%	-8.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.62%	-4.35%	-16.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.74%	-6.33%	-6.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.65%	10.99%	+6.66%

Volatility

PLTY vs. YMAX - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (PLTY) has a higher volatility of 13.92% compared to YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) at 5.86%. This indicates that PLTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTY	YMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.92%	5.86%	+8.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.89%	17.03%	+14.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.13%	21.56%	+21.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.81%	22.96%	+29.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.81%	22.96%	+29.85%

PLTY vs. YMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than YMAX's 1.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTY vs. YMAX - Dividend Comparison

PLTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 102.78%, more than YMAX's 69.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	102.78%	112.44%	7.85%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	69.87%	78.70%	44.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTY and YMAX in my portfolio?

PLTY and YMAX have a correlation of 0.53, 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 YMAX?

PLTY has higher volatility (13.92%) compared to YMAX (5.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTY dropped -36.61% vs YMAX's -26.13%.

Which ETF is better, PLTY or YMAX?

On 1-year performance, YMAX leads with 12.05% vs 11.69% for PLTY. On fees, PLTY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, YMAX has been the lower-risk option at 5.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTY or YMAX?

Over the 1-year period, YMAX has performed better with a 12.05% return vs 11.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTY or YMAX?

PLTY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.28% for YMAX.

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

PLTY has the higher dividend yield at 102.78%, compared with 69.87% for YMAX.

What is the main difference between PLTY and YMAX?

PLTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while YMAX is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for PLTY and 1.28% for YMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs 0.27), 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.