YMAG vs. XLE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

YMAG (YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YMAG is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. YMAG is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. Over the past year, YMAG returned 18.60% vs 36.53% for XLE. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. YMAG charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

YMAG vs. XLE - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAG achieves a 2.67% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 29.29% return.

YMAG

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 2.02%
• 6M: 4.19%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 1Y: 18.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 3.74%
• 6M: 21.42%
• YTD: 29.29%
• 1Y: 36.53%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 22.95%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

YMAG vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAG YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs	2.67%	18.64%	34.66%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	29.29%	7.88%	5.20%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAG and XLE is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	-0.03

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between YMAG and XLE has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.03 to -0.25, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

YMAG vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAG	XLE
Financial Services	99.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	100.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

YMAG vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAG

YMAG Risk / Return Rank: 33
YMAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
YMAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
YMAG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
YMAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
YMAG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 59
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. XLE - 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 State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	1.75	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.32	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	2.45	-1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.95	6.58	-2.63

YMAG vs. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAG and XLE, 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. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAG drawdown since its inception was -25.96%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAG and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAG	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.96%	-71.26%	+45.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.38%	-14.98%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-20.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.77%	-8.20%	+4.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.62%	-17.95%	+13.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.72%	5.57%	-0.85%

Volatility

YMAG vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAG) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) have volatilities of 6.35% and 6.10%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAG	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.35%	6.10%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.60%	16.65%	-3.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.36%	20.96%	-3.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.99%	25.87%	-4.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.99%	29.58%	-8.59%

YMAG vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAG has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAG vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

YMAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 51.62%, more than XLE's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%
YMAG YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs	51.62%	52.27%	35.22%	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 YMAG and XLE in my portfolio?

YMAG and XLE have a correlation of -0.25, 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 XLE?

YMAG has higher volatility (6.35%) compared to XLE (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAG dropped -25.96% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, YMAG or XLE?

On 1-year performance, XLE leads with 36.53% vs 18.60% for YMAG. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 6.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAG or XLE?

Over the 1-year period, XLE has performed better with a 36.53% return vs 18.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAG or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 1.28% for YMAG.

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

YMAG has the higher dividend yield at 51.62%, compared with 2.66% for XLE.

What is the main difference between YMAG and XLE?

YMAG is categorized as Derivative Income, while XLE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.28% for YMAG and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.08), 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.