YMAG vs. IVVW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

YMAG (YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs) and IVVW (iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. YMAG is actively managed, while IVVW is passively managed. Over the past year, YMAG returned 16.69% vs 17.28% for IVVW. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YMAG charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IVVW.

Performance

YMAG vs. IVVW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAG) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAG achieves a -3.07% return, which is significantly lower than IVVW's 4.01% return.

YMAG

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: -7.55%
• YTD: -3.07%
• 6M: -4.07%
• 1Y: 16.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IVVW

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 4.01%
• 6M: 4.08%
• 1Y: 17.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YMAG vs. IVVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAG YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs	-3.07%	18.64%	29.07%
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	4.01%	11.71%	12.76%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAG and IVVW is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2024	0.77

The correlation between YMAG and IVVW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

YMAG vs. IVVW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAG	IVVW
Financial Services	99.0%	11.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.6%
Energy	-	3.2%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.9%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	38.4%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

YMAG vs. IVVW — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAG

YMAG Risk / Return Rank: 27
YMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
YMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
YMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
YMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
YMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

IVVW

IVVW Risk / Return Rank: 73
IVVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IVVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IVVW Omega Ratio Rank: 83
IVVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
IVVW Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

YMAG vs. IVVW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAG) and iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW). 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.

	YMAG	IVVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	2.16	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	2.95	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.47	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	2.99	-1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.84	15.95	-12.11

YMAG vs. IVVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the IVVW Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAG and IVVW, 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

YMAG vs. IVVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAG drawdown since its inception was -25.96%, which is greater than IVVW's maximum drawdown of -16.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAG and IVVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAG	IVVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.96%	-16.79%	-9.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.38%	-5.81%	-8.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.15%	-1.37%	-7.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.56%	-1.73%	-2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.35%	1.09%	+3.26%

Volatility

YMAG vs. IVVW - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAG) has a higher volatility of 5.86% compared to iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF (IVVW) at 3.45%. This indicates that YMAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAG	IVVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.86%	3.45%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.60%	6.91%	+5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.68%	8.05%	+8.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.98%	12.69%	+8.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	12.69%	+8.29%

YMAG vs. IVVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAG has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than IVVW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAG vs. IVVW - Dividend Comparison

YMAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 53.52%, more than IVVW's 19.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
IVVW iShares S&P 500 BuyWrite ETF	19.86%	18.55%	13.72%
YMAG YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs	53.52%	52.27%	35.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAG and IVVW in my portfolio?

YMAG and IVVW have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YMAG or IVVW?

YMAG has higher volatility (5.86%) compared to IVVW (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAG dropped -25.96% vs IVVW's -16.79%.

Which ETF is better, YMAG or IVVW?

On 1-year performance, IVVW leads with 17.28% vs 16.69% for YMAG. On fees, IVVW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IVVW has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAG or IVVW?

Over the 1-year period, IVVW has performed better with a 17.28% return vs 16.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAG or IVVW?

IVVW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 1.28% for YMAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YMAG or IVVW?

YMAG has the higher dividend yield at 53.52%, compared with 19.86% for IVVW.

What is the main difference between YMAG and IVVW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.28% for YMAG and 0.25% for IVVW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.01), 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.