UTES vs. WNTR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and WNTR (YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, UTES returned -3.98% vs 107.38% for WNTR. Their -0.19 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

UTES vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTES achieves a -1.07% return, which is significantly lower than WNTR's 10.75% return.

UTES

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -4.28%
• 6M: 0.59%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 1Y: -3.98%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 14.97%
• 10Y*: 11.78%
• ALL TIME*: 13.50%

WNTR

• 1D: 3.26%
• 1M: 8.13%
• 6M: 14.92%
• YTD: 10.75%
• 1Y: 107.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 47.89%

*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)
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	$11.16M	$10.04M	$13.72M
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	$4.02M	$3.86M	$3.95M

UTES vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	-1.07%	23.57%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	10.75%	52.78%

Correlation

The correlation between UTES and WNTR is -0.18, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	-0.19

Return for Risk

UTES vs. WNTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 7
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 7

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 75
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 77
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

UTES vs. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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.

	UTES	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	2.12	-2.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.14	2.37	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.32	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.31	2.71	-3.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.65	6.87	-7.51

UTES vs. WNTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTES Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the WNTR Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTES and WNTR, 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

UTES vs. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTES	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-42.65%	+7.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-42.65%	+28.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.30%	-9.64%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.54%	-20.18%	+14.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.72%	16.81%	-10.09%

Volatility

UTES vs. WNTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) is 5.50%, while YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a volatility of 14.85%. This indicates that UTES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WNTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UTES	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.50%	14.85%	-9.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.19%	47.43%	-31.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.39%	54.68%	-33.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.74%	53.42%	-32.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.26%	53.42%	-33.16%

UTES vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than WNTR's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTES vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than WNTR's 107.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.53%	1.42%	1.51%	2.44%	2.13%	1.94%	2.09%	1.84%	2.09%	3.44%	3.53%	0.61%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	107.02%	58.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTES and WNTR in my portfolio?

UTES and WNTR have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UTES or WNTR?

WNTR has higher volatility (14.85%) compared to UTES (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs WNTR's -42.65%.

Which ETF is better, UTES or WNTR?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 107.38% vs -3.98% for UTES. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, UTES has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTES or WNTR?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 107.38% return vs -3.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTES or WNTR?

UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for WNTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UTES or WNTR?

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 107.02%, compared with 1.53% for UTES.

What is the main difference between UTES and WNTR?

UTES is categorized as Utilities Equities, while WNTR is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 1.00% for WNTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WNTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 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.