SMCY vs. AIYY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and AIYY (YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned 9.89% vs -54.81% for AIYY. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

SMCY vs. AIYY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCY achieves a 47.09% return, which is significantly higher than AIYY's -21.57% return.

SMCY

• 1D: 5.82%
• 1M: 60.95%
• YTD: 47.09%
• 6M: 35.67%
• 1Y: 9.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AIYY

• 1D: -4.97%
• 1M: 14.03%
• YTD: -21.57%
• 6M: -24.80%
• 1Y: -54.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMCY vs. AIYY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	47.09%	-15.41%	-33.07%
AIYY YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF	-21.57%	-58.98%	24.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and AIYY is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2024	0.48

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. AIYY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCY

SMCY Risk / Return Rank: 13
SMCY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
SMCY Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
SMCY Omega Ratio Rank: 17
SMCY Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
SMCY Martin Ratio Rank: 10

AIYY

AIYY Risk / Return Rank: 2
AIYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
AIYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
AIYY Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

SMCY vs. AIYY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY). 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.

	SMCY	AIYY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.15	-1.02	+1.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	-1.46	+2.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.80	+0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.21	-0.84	+1.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.36	-1.21	+1.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMCY vs. AIYY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is 0.15, which is higher than the AIYY Sharpe Ratio of -1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and AIYY, 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

	SMCY	AIYY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15	-1.02	+1.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.13	-0.81	+0.68

Drawdowns

SMCY vs. AIYY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, smaller than the maximum AIYY drawdown of -79.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and AIYY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	AIYY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-79.48%	+14.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.43%	-68.33%	+7.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-29.09%	-74.38%	+45.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.03%	-40.99%	+3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	34.84%	47.47%	-12.63%

Volatility

SMCY vs. AIYY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) has a higher volatility of 23.80% compared to YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF (AIYY) at 15.12%. This indicates that SMCY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIYY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	AIYY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.80%	15.12%	+8.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	55.81%	39.04%	+16.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.45%	54.03%	+10.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.55%	50.52%	+27.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	77.55%	50.52%	+27.03%

SMCY vs. AIYY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SMCY and AIYY have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

SMCY vs. AIYY - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 144.68%, less than AIYY's 153.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AIYY YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF	153.34%	168.33%	98.26%
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	144.68%	231.43%	38.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and AIYY in my portfolio?

SMCY and AIYY have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMCY or AIYY?

SMCY has higher volatility (23.80%) compared to AIYY (15.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs AIYY's -79.48%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or AIYY?

On 1-year performance, SMCY leads with 9.89% vs -54.81% for AIYY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, AIYY has been the lower-risk option at 15.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or AIYY?

Over the 1-year period, SMCY has performed better with a 9.89% return vs -54.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCY or AIYY?

SMCY and AIYY have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMCY or AIYY?

AIYY has the higher dividend yield at 153.34%, compared with 144.68% for SMCY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMCY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.15 vs -1.02), 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.