SDTY vs. IWMY

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SDTY (YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and IWMY (Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while IWMY is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SDTY returned 17.90% vs 17.50% for IWMY. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDTY charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for IWMY.

Performance

SDTY vs. IWMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) and Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF (IWMY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDTY achieves a 7.95% return, which is significantly lower than IWMY's 13.63% return.

SDTY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 6.33%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 1Y: 17.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.36%

IWMY

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -1.14%
• 6M: 7.05%
• YTD: 13.63%
• 1Y: 17.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

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

SDTY vs. IWMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	7.95%	9.67%
IWMY Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF	13.63%	4.55%

Correlation

The correlation between SDTY and IWMY is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2025	0.73

The correlation between SDTY and IWMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDTY vs. IWMY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDTY

SDTY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 68

IWMY

IWMY Risk / Return Rank: 39
IWMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
IWMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
IWMY Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IWMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IWMY Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

SDTY vs. IWMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) and Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF (IWMY). 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.

	SDTY	IWMY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.09	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	1.55	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.19	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	1.52	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.97	4.95	+4.03

SDTY vs. IWMY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is higher than the IWMY Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDTY and IWMY, 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

SDTY vs. IWMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDTY drawdown since its inception was -18.63%, roughly equal to the maximum IWMY drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDTY and IWMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDTY	IWMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.63%	-18.72%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-11.57%	+3.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-2.40%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.89%	-2.89%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	3.55%	-1.55%

Volatility

SDTY vs. IWMY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) is 3.00%, while Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF (IWMY) has a volatility of 3.33%. This indicates that SDTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDTY	IWMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	3.33%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	13.48%	-4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.69%	16.19%	-4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.51%	15.80%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	15.80%	+0.71%

SDTY vs. IWMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDTY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than IWMY's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDTY vs. IWMY - Dividend Comparison

SDTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.94%, less than IWMY's 42.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IWMY Defiance R2000 Weekly Distribution ETF	42.60%	63.33%	107.92%	11.34%
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	26.94%	22.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDTY and IWMY in my portfolio?

SDTY and IWMY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDTY or IWMY?

IWMY has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to SDTY (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDTY dropped -18.63% vs IWMY's -18.72%.

Which ETF is better, SDTY or IWMY?

On 1-year performance, SDTY leads with 17.90% vs 17.50% for IWMY. On fees, SDTY is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, SDTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDTY or IWMY?

Over the 1-year period, SDTY has performed better with a 17.90% return vs 17.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDTY or IWMY?

SDTY is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for IWMY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDTY or IWMY?

IWMY has the higher dividend yield at 42.60%, compared with 26.94% for SDTY.

What is the main difference between SDTY and IWMY?

SDTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while IWMY is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SDTY and 1.05% for IWMY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.09), 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.