SMCY vs. BABX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and BABX (GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMCY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while BABX is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by GraniteShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned -51.14% vs -20.22% for BABX. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMCY charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.15%/yr for BABX.

Performance

SMCY vs. BABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF (BABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCY achieves a -18.90% return, which is significantly higher than BABX's -43.40% return.

SMCY

• 1D: -8.17%
• 1M: -11.52%
• 6M: -20.55%
• YTD: -18.90%
• 1Y: -51.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BABX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 9.27%
• 6M: -57.47%
• YTD: -43.40%
• 1Y: -20.22%
• 3Y*: -4.57%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMCY vs. BABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	-18.90%	-15.41%	-33.36%
BABX GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF	-43.40%	123.85%	-7.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and BABX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2024	0.26

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. BABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCY

SMCY Risk / Return Rank: 3
SMCY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
SMCY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
SMCY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
SMCY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
SMCY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

BABX

BABX Risk / Return Rank: 8
BABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
BABX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BABX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. BABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF (BABX). 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.

	SMCY	BABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	-0.23	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.74	0.29	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.03	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.85	-0.26	-0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.33	-0.46	-0.87

SMCY vs. BABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is lower than the BABX Sharpe Ratio of -0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and BABX, 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

SMCY vs. BABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, smaller than the maximum BABX drawdown of -78.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and BABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	BABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-78.83%	+14.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.43%	-78.83%	+18.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-78.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-60.90%	-68.05%	+7.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.94%	-46.10%	+8.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.45%	43.60%	-5.15%

Volatility

SMCY vs. BABX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) is 22.60%, while GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF (BABX) has a volatility of 28.33%. This indicates that SMCY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	BABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.60%	28.33%	-5.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.51%	57.90%	+10.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	72.94%	89.18%	-16.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.08%	83.40%	-3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.08%	83.40%	-3.32%

SMCY vs. BABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than BABX's 1.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCY vs. BABX - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 233.75%, while BABX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BABX GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	233.75%	231.43%	38.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and BABX in my portfolio?

SMCY and BABX have a correlation of 0.26, 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 BABX?

BABX has higher volatility (28.33%) compared to SMCY (22.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs BABX's -78.83%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or BABX?

On 1-year performance, BABX leads with -20.22% vs -51.14% for SMCY. On fees, SMCY is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, SMCY has been the lower-risk option at 22.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or BABX?

Over the 1-year period, BABX has performed better with a -20.22% return vs -51.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCY or BABX?

SMCY is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 1.15% for BABX.

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

SMCY has the higher dividend yield at 233.75%, compared with 0.00% for BABX.

What is the main difference between SMCY and BABX?

SMCY is categorized as Derivative Income, while BABX is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and GraniteShares. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SMCY and 1.15% for BABX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.23 vs -0.70), 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.