VOE vs. ULTY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOE (Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF) and ULTY (YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOE is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Value Index, while ULTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. VOE is passively managed, while ULTY is actively managed. Over the past year, VOE returned 22.48% vs 4.18% for ULTY. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOE charges 0.05%/yr vs 1.14%/yr for ULTY.

Performance

VOE vs. ULTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOE achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly higher than ULTY's 7.39% return.

VOE

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 22.48%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

ULTY

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

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

VOE vs. ULTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	10.52%	12.08%	11.77%
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	7.39%	-0.84%	-4.73%

Correlation

The correlation between VOE and ULTY is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024	0.48

VOE vs. ULTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOE	ULTY
Financial Services	16.5%	8.6%
Industrials	14.0%	9.3%
Energy	12.8%	-
Utilities	12.1%	-
Technology	10.9%	54.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	0.0%
Healthcare	6.3%	1.8%
Real Estate	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	5.8%	11.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	5.2%
Communication Services	2.2%	8.9%

Return for Risk

VOE vs. ULTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOE

VOE Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOE Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VOE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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

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.

VOE vs. ULTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) and YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY). 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.

	VOE	ULTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	0.20	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	0.40	+2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.05	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	0.17	+3.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.35	0.34	+12.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOE vs. ULTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOE Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the ULTY Sharpe Ratio of 0.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOE and ULTY, 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

	VOE	ULTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	0.20	+1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.11	+0.33

Drawdowns

VOE vs. ULTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOE drawdown since its inception was -61.50%, which is greater than ULTY's maximum drawdown of -26.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOE and ULTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOE	ULTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.50%	-26.85%	-34.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-24.16%	+17.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-11.95%	+10.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.35%	-9.38%	+1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	12.37%	-10.55%

Volatility

VOE vs. ULTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) is 2.55%, while YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) has a volatility of 6.96%. This indicates that VOE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ULTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOE	ULTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	6.96%	-4.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.20%	15.88%	-7.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.51%	21.21%	-9.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	27.07%	-11.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	27.07%	-8.24%

VOE vs. ULTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOE has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than ULTY's 1.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOE vs. ULTY - Dividend Comparison

VOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than ULTY's 115.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ULTY YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	115.53%	142.99%	111.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOE Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.88%	2.10%	2.11%	2.27%	2.27%	1.78%	2.36%	2.05%	2.75%	1.86%	1.92%	2.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOE and ULTY in my portfolio?

VOE and ULTY have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOE or ULTY?

ULTY has higher volatility (6.96%) compared to VOE (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOE dropped -61.50% vs ULTY's -26.85%.

Which ETF is better, VOE or ULTY?

On 1-year performance, VOE leads with 22.48% vs 4.18% for ULTY. On fees, VOE is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOE has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOE or ULTY?

Over the 1-year period, VOE has performed better with a 22.48% return vs 4.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOE or ULTY?

VOE is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for ULTY.

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

ULTY has the higher dividend yield at 115.53%, compared with 1.88% for VOE.

What is the main difference between VOE and ULTY?

VOE is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while ULTY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOE and 1.14% for ULTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 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.