SMCY vs. SMAX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMCY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while SMAX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned -46.56% vs 8.03% for SMAX. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMCY charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

SMCY vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCY achieves a -11.68% return, which is significantly lower than SMAX's 3.78% return.

SMCY

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -7.62%
• 6M: -10.27%
• YTD: -11.68%
• 1Y: -46.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.48%
• 6M: 3.51%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 1Y: 8.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMCY vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	-11.68%	-15.41%	-30.78%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.78%	8.01%	1.06%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and SMAX 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 Oct 1, 2024	0.43

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments 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

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.64	2.99	-3.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.60	4.55	-5.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.62	-0.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	4.21	-4.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.22	22.42	-23.64

SMCY vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is -0.64, which is lower than the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and SMAX, 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. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-3.90%	-60.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.43%	-1.91%	-58.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-57.42%	0.00%	-57.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.89%	-0.39%	-37.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.29%	0.36%	+37.93%

Volatility

SMCY vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) has a higher volatility of 21.14% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.69%. This indicates that SMCY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.14%	0.69%	+20.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	68.10%	2.17%	+65.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	72.60%	2.70%	+69.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	79.94%	3.60%	+76.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.94%	3.60%	+76.34%

SMCY vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCY vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 209.49%, more than SMAX's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.94%	0.98%	0.27%
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	209.49%	231.43%	38.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and SMAX in my portfolio?

SMCY and SMAX 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 SMAX?

SMCY has higher volatility (21.14%) compared to SMAX (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, SMAX leads with 8.03% vs -46.56% for SMCY. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, SMAX has performed better with a 8.03% return vs -46.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCY or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for SMCY.

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

SMCY has the higher dividend yield at 209.49%, compared with 0.94% for SMAX.

What is the main difference between SMCY and SMAX?

SMCY is categorized as Derivative Income, while SMAX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SMCY and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs -0.64), 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.