SMCY vs. QQQY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMCY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned -30.54% vs 30.96% for QQQY. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

SMCY vs. QQQY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCY achieves a -5.47% return, which is significantly lower than QQQY's 15.43% return.

SMCY

• 1D: -3.83%
• 1M: -6.58%
• YTD: -5.47%
• 6M: -12.25%
• 1Y: -30.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQY

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 15.43%
• 6M: 15.99%
• 1Y: 30.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMCY vs. QQQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	-5.47%	-15.41%	-33.36%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	15.43%	14.96%	2.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and QQQY is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2024	0.54

The correlation between SMCY and QQQY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. QQQY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCY

SMCY Risk / Return Rank: 6
SMCY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
SMCY Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
SMCY Omega Ratio Rank: 6
SMCY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
SMCY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. QQQY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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	QQQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.47	2.00	-2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.23	2.52	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.38	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.55	2.68	-3.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.94	10.96	-11.90

SMCY vs. QQQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is -0.47, which is lower than the QQQY Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and QQQY, 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. QQQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, which is greater than QQQY's maximum drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and QQQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	QQQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-19.05%	-45.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.43%	-11.14%	-49.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.43%	-3.41%	-51.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.05%	-2.92%	-34.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	35.47%	2.72%	+32.75%

Volatility

SMCY vs. QQQY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) has a higher volatility of 39.48% compared to Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) at 7.00%. This indicates that SMCY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	QQQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	39.48%	7.00%	+32.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	65.75%	12.87%	+52.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	71.14%	14.92%	+56.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.26%	15.12%	+65.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.26%	15.12%	+65.14%

SMCY vs. QQQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SMCY vs. QQQY - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 210.02%, more than QQQY's 35.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.39%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	210.02%	231.43%	38.43%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and QQQY in my portfolio?

SMCY and QQQY have a correlation of 0.58, 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 QQQY?

SMCY has higher volatility (39.48%) compared to QQQY (7.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs QQQY's -19.05%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or QQQY?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 30.96% vs -30.54% for SMCY. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 7.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or QQQY?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 30.96% return vs -30.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCY or QQQY?

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

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

SMCY has the higher dividend yield at 210.02%, compared with 35.39% for QQQY.

What is the main difference between SMCY and QQQY?

SMCY is categorized as Derivative Income, while QQQY is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Defiance.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs -0.47), 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.