ULTY vs. GLDY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ULTY (YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF) and GLDY (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ULTY returned 4.18% vs 11.50% for GLDY. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ULTY charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for GLDY.

Performance

ULTY vs. GLDY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ULTY achieves a 7.39% return, which is significantly higher than GLDY's -4.78% return.

ULTY

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -1.19%
• YTD: 7.39%
• 6M: 5.32%
• 1Y: 4.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GLDY

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -6.85%
• YTD: -4.78%
• 6M: -2.80%
• 1Y: 11.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ULTY vs. GLDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	7.39%	14.20%
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-4.78%	15.15%

Correlation

The correlation between ULTY and GLDY 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 Apr 2, 2025	0.13

The correlation between ULTY and GLDY shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ULTY vs. GLDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ULTY

ULTY Risk / Return Rank: 12
ULTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
ULTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
ULTY Omega Ratio Rank: 12
ULTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
ULTY Martin Ratio Rank: 11

GLDY

GLDY Risk / Return Rank: 19
GLDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
GLDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
GLDY Omega Ratio Rank: 22
GLDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
GLDY Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

ULTY vs. GLDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) and Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY). 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.

	ULTY	GLDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.20	0.57	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	0.78	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.13	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.17	0.74	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.34	1.98	-1.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ULTY vs. GLDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ULTY Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the GLDY Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ULTY and GLDY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ULTY	GLDY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20	0.57	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.42	-0.31

Drawdowns

ULTY vs. GLDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ULTY drawdown since its inception was -26.85%, which is greater than GLDY's maximum drawdown of -15.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ULTY and GLDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ULTY	GLDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.85%	-15.57%	-11.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.16%	-15.57%	-8.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.95%	-15.33%	+3.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.38%	-4.02%	-5.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.37%	5.83%	+6.54%

Volatility

ULTY vs. GLDY - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) has a higher volatility of 6.96% compared to Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) at 4.95%. This indicates that ULTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ULTY	GLDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.96%	4.95%	+2.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.88%	18.57%	-2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.21%	20.14%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.07%	19.71%	+7.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.07%	19.71%	+7.36%

ULTY vs. GLDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ULTY has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

ULTY vs. GLDY - Dividend Comparison

ULTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 115.53%, more than GLDY's 48.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	48.51%	37.38%	0.00%
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	115.53%	142.99%	111.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ULTY and GLDY in my portfolio?

ULTY and GLDY 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, ULTY or GLDY?

ULTY has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to GLDY (4.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ULTY dropped -26.85% vs GLDY's -15.57%.

Which ETF is better, ULTY or GLDY?

On 1-year performance, GLDY leads with 11.50% vs 4.18% for ULTY. On fees, GLDY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, GLDY has been the lower-risk option at 4.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ULTY or GLDY?

Over the 1-year period, GLDY has performed better with a 11.50% return vs 4.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ULTY or GLDY?

GLDY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ULTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ULTY or GLDY?

ULTY has the higher dividend yield at 115.53%, compared with 48.51% for GLDY.

What is the main difference between ULTY and GLDY?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 1.14% for ULTY and 0.99% for GLDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLDY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs 0.20), 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.