PYPY vs. BUYW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PYPY (Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF) and BUYW (Main Buywrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PYPY returned -39.20% vs 9.76% for BUYW. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PYPY charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BUYW.

Performance

PYPY vs. BUYW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF (PYPY) 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, PYPY achieves a -23.28% return, which is significantly lower than BUYW's 3.39% return.

PYPY

• 1D: -3.78%
• 1M: -12.23%
• YTD: -23.28%
• 6M: -25.27%
• 1Y: -39.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUYW

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 9.76%
• 3Y*: 8.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PYPY vs. BUYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PYPY Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF	-23.28%	-30.17%	43.88%	6.09%
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	3.39%	9.08%	9.82%	2.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PYPY and BUYW is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.40

PYPY vs. BUYW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PYPY	BUYW
Financial Services	100.0%	15.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	16.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.2%
Energy	-	13.6%
Healthcare	-	13.0%
Industrials	-	4.4%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Technology	-	24.0%
Utilities	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

PYPY vs. BUYW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PYPY

PYPY Risk / Return Rank: 1
PYPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PYPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PYPY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PYPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
PYPY Martin Ratio Rank: 1

BUYW

BUYW Risk / Return Rank: 71
BUYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BUYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
BUYW Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BUYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUYW Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PYPY vs. BUYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF (PYPY) 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.

	PYPY	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.15	2.03	-3.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.50	3.08	-4.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.40	-0.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.83	3.79	-4.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.48	20.24	-21.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PYPY vs. BUYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PYPY Sharpe Ratio is -1.15, which is lower than the BUYW Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PYPY 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PYPY	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.15	2.03	-3.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.23	1.17	-1.40

Drawdowns

PYPY vs. BUYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PYPY drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, which is greater than BUYW's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PYPY and BUYW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PYPY	BUYW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.64%	-9.36%	-44.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.14%	-2.59%	-44.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-49.18%	-0.21%	-48.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-0.61%	-15.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	26.44%	0.48%	+25.96%

Volatility

PYPY vs. BUYW - Volatility Comparison

Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF (PYPY) has a higher volatility of 7.83% compared to Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW) at 1.02%. This indicates that PYPY'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

	PYPY	BUYW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.83%	1.02%	+6.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.63%	4.03%	+24.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.15%	4.85%	+29.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.10%	8.47%	+22.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.10%	8.47%	+22.63%

PYPY vs. BUYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PYPY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than BUYW's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PYPY vs. BUYW - Dividend Comparison

PYPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 69.43%, more than BUYW's 5.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.91%	5.89%	5.93%	5.95%	0.50%
PYPY Yieldmax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF	69.43%	64.68%	48.65%	5.70%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PYPY and BUYW in my portfolio?

PYPY and BUYW have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PYPY or BUYW?

PYPY has higher volatility (7.83%) compared to BUYW (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PYPY dropped -53.64% vs BUYW's -9.36%.

Which ETF is better, PYPY or BUYW?

On 1-year performance, BUYW leads with 9.76% vs -39.20% for PYPY. On fees, PYPY is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, BUYW has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PYPY or BUYW?

Over the 1-year period, BUYW has performed better with a 9.76% return vs -39.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PYPY or BUYW?

PYPY is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BUYW.

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

PYPY has the higher dividend yield at 69.43%, compared with 5.91% for BUYW.

What is the main difference between PYPY and BUYW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Main Funds. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for PYPY and 1.29% for BUYW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs -1.15), 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.