SDTY vs. YMAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDTY (YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SDTY returned 22.10% vs 2.12% for YMAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDTY charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.28%/yr for YMAX.

Performance

SDTY vs. YMAX - 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 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, SDTY achieves a 6.44% return, which is significantly higher than YMAX's 0.77% return.

SDTY

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 6.44%
• 6M: 5.67%
• 1Y: 22.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YMAX

• 1D: -2.10%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: -1.20%
• 1Y: 2.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SDTY vs. YMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	6.44%	9.67%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	0.77%	3.75%

Correlation

The correlation between SDTY and YMAX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2025	0.76

The correlation between SDTY and YMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDTY vs. YMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDTY	YMAX
Technology	39.0%	63.7%
Financial Services	11.1%	12.7%
Communication Services	10.6%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	6.2%
Healthcare	8.3%	2.0%
Industrials	7.8%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	2.0%
Energy	3.1%	0.5%
Utilities	2.1%	0.3%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.0%

Return for Risk

SDTY vs. YMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDTY

SDTY Risk / Return Rank: 61
SDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 66

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. YMAX - 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 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.

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	YMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	0.09	+1.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	0.28	+2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.04	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	0.08	+2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.26	0.19	+11.07

SDTY vs. YMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the YMAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDTY 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.

Drawdowns

SDTY vs. YMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDTY drawdown since its inception was -18.63%, smaller than the maximum YMAX drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDTY and YMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDTY	YMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.63%	-26.13%	+7.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-26.13%	+18.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.47%	-10.66%	+8.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.99%	-6.40%	+3.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	11.24%	-9.27%

Volatility

SDTY vs. YMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) is 4.37%, while YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a volatility of 10.94%. This indicates that SDTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDTY	YMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	10.94%	-6.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.14%	19.66%	-10.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.64%	23.56%	-11.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	23.61%	-6.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.82%	23.61%	-6.79%

SDTY vs. YMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDTY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than YMAX's 1.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDTY vs. YMAX - Dividend Comparison

SDTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.11%, less than YMAX's 74.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	26.11%	22.00%	0.00%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	74.01%	78.70%	44.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDTY and YMAX in my portfolio?

SDTY and YMAX have a correlation of 0.74, 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 YMAX?

YMAX has higher volatility (10.94%) compared to SDTY (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDTY dropped -18.63% vs YMAX's -26.13%.

Which ETF is better, SDTY or YMAX?

On 1-year performance, SDTY leads with 22.10% vs 2.12% for YMAX. On fees, SDTY is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, SDTY has been the lower-risk option at 4.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDTY or YMAX?

Over the 1-year period, SDTY has performed better with a 22.10% return vs 2.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDTY or YMAX?

SDTY is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 1.28% for YMAX.

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

YMAX has the higher dividend yield at 74.01%, compared with 26.11% for SDTY.

What is the main difference between SDTY and YMAX?

Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SDTY and 1.28% for YMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 0.09), 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.