SMCY vs. YMAX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SMCY (YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF) and YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCY returned -45.69% vs -0.85% for YMAX. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SMCY charges 1.01%/yr vs 1.33%/yr for YMAX.

Performance

SMCY vs. YMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX). 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 YMAX's 3.90% return.

SMCY

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

YMAX

• 1D: 3.20%
• 1M: 1.20%
• 6M: 10.80%
• YTD: 3.90%
• 1Y: -0.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.07%

*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)
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	$4.45M	$3.57M	$5.92M
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	$9.65M	$11.24M	$14.49M

SMCY vs. YMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	-2.66%	-15.41%	-33.36%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	3.90%	6.04%	16.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCY and YMAX is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2024	0.62

The correlation between SMCY and YMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMCY vs. YMAX — 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

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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. YMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX). 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	YMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.61	-0.04	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.52	0.12	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.01	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	-0.03	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.21	-0.07	-1.14

SMCY vs. YMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCY Sharpe Ratio is -0.61, which is lower than the YMAX Sharpe Ratio of -0.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCY and YMAX, 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. YMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCY drawdown since its inception was -64.75%, which is greater than YMAX's maximum drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCY and YMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCY	YMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.75%	-26.13%	-38.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.62%	-26.13%	-32.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-53.07%	-7.89%	-45.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.46%	-6.57%	-31.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.56%	11.73%	+26.83%

Volatility

SMCY vs. YMAX - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) has a higher volatility of 24.43% compared to YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) at 7.05%. This indicates that SMCY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCY	YMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.43%	7.05%	+17.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	70.99%	20.41%	+50.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	75.58%	24.32%	+51.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.55%	23.57%	+56.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.55%	23.57%	+56.98%

SMCY vs. YMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is lower than YMAX's 1.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCY vs. YMAX - Dividend Comparison

SMCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 165.69%, more than YMAX's 69.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SMCY YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF	165.69%	231.43%	38.43%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	69.51%	78.70%	44.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCY and YMAX in my portfolio?

SMCY and YMAX have a correlation of 0.62, 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 YMAX?

SMCY has higher volatility (24.43%) compared to YMAX (7.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCY dropped -64.75% vs YMAX's -26.13%.

Which ETF is better, SMCY or YMAX?

On 1-year performance, YMAX leads with -0.85% vs -45.69% for SMCY. On fees, SMCY is cheaper at 1.01% per year. On volatility, YMAX has been the lower-risk option at 7.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCY or YMAX?

Over the 1-year period, YMAX has performed better with a -0.85% 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 YMAX?

SMCY is cheaper with a 1.01% expense ratio, compared with 1.33% for YMAX.

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

SMCY has the higher dividend yield at 165.69%, compared with 69.51% for YMAX.

What is the main difference between SMCY and YMAX?

Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SMCY and 1.33% for YMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.04 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.