SMCY vs. RYLD

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. SMCY is actively managed, while RYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned -45.69% vs 24.71% for RYLD. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SMCY charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for RYLD.

Performance

SMCY vs. RYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCY achieves a -2.66% return, which is significantly lower than RYLD's 14.18% return.

SMCY

• 1D: 7.71%
• 1M: 12.04%
• 6M: -3.84%
• YTD: -2.66%
• 1Y: -45.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -27.19%

RYLD

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 2.90%
• 6M: 11.01%
• YTD: 14.18%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 8.92%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.04%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	$10.56M	$9.60M	$9.13M
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	$4.45M	$3.57M	$5.92M

SMCY vs. RYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	-2.66%	-15.41%	-33.36%
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	14.18%	5.65%	6.65%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and RYLD is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2024	0.45

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. RYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SMCY

SMCY Risk / Return Rank: 4
SMCY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
SMCY Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
SMCY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
SMCY Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
SMCY Martin Ratio Rank: 3

RYLD

RYLD Risk / Return Rank: 90
RYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
RYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
RYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
RYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SMCY vs. RYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD). 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	RYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.61	2.38	-2.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.52	3.34	-3.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.50	-0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	3.94	-4.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	16.16	-17.37

SMCY vs. RYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is -0.61, which is lower than the RYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and RYLD, 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. RYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, which is greater than RYLD's maximum drawdown of -41.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and RYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	RYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-41.53%	-23.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.62%	-6.29%	-52.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-53.07%	0.00%	-53.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.46%	-8.64%	-29.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.56%	1.53%	+37.03%

Volatility

SMCY vs. RYLD - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) has a higher volatility of 24.43% compared to Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) at 2.34%. This indicates that SMCY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	RYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.43%	2.34%	+22.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	70.99%	7.72%	+63.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	75.58%	10.57%	+65.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.55%	13.98%	+66.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.55%	17.04%	+63.51%

SMCY vs. RYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than RYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCY vs. RYLD - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 165.69%, more than RYLD's 11.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	11.43%	12.00%	12.03%	12.64%	13.49%	12.35%	10.76%	6.43%
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	165.69%	231.43%	38.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and RYLD in my portfolio?

SMCY and RYLD have a correlation of 0.49, 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 RYLD?

SMCY has higher volatility (24.43%) compared to RYLD (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs RYLD's -41.53%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or RYLD?

On 1-year performance, RYLD leads with 24.71% vs -45.69% for SMCY. On fees, RYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, RYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or RYLD?

Over the 1-year period, RYLD has performed better with a 24.71% return vs -45.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCY or RYLD?

RYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for SMCY.

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

SMCY has the higher dividend yield at 165.69%, compared with 11.43% for RYLD.

What is the main difference between SMCY and RYLD?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Global X. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SMCY and 0.60% for RYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs -0.61), 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.