YMAX vs. BUYW

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) and BUYW (Main Buywrite ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, YMAX returned -2.39% vs 9.35% for BUYW. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. YMAX charges 1.33%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for BUYW.

Performance

YMAX vs. BUYW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAX achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than BUYW's 5.08% return.

YMAX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: -1.93%
• 6M: 5.27%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 1Y: -2.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.68%

BUYW

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.64%
• 6M: 4.41%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 1Y: 9.35%
• 3Y*: 8.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.97%

*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)
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	$5.71M	$4.95M	$4.82M
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	$9.31M	$11.31M	$14.54M

YMAX vs. BUYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	0.68%	6.04%	26.90%
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.08%	9.08%	9.98%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and BUYW is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.53

The correlation between YMAX and BUYW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

YMAX vs. BUYW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAX	BUYW
Technology	61.0%	25.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	6.0%
Communication Services	7.2%	6.5%
Financial Services	5.5%	15.0%
Industrials	5.4%	4.6%
Healthcare	5.1%	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	3.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.0%
Energy	1.3%	12.4%
Utilities	0.6%	10.9%

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. BUYW — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

BUYW

BUYW Risk / Return Rank: 86
BUYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BUYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BUYW Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
BUYW Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

YMAX vs. BUYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW). 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.

	YMAX	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.10	1.93	-2.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	2.87	-2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.37	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	3.63	-3.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.20	19.32	-19.52

YMAX vs. BUYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is -0.10, which is lower than the BUYW Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAX and BUYW, 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

YMAX vs. BUYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAX drawdown since its inception was -26.13%, which is greater than BUYW's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAX and BUYW.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAX	BUYW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.13%	-9.36%	-16.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-2.59%	-23.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.75%	0.00%	-10.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-0.59%	-5.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.72%	0.49%	+11.23%

Volatility

YMAX vs. BUYW - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW) at 1.11%. This indicates that YMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAX	BUYW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	1.11%	+5.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.20%	3.91%	+16.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.15%	4.87%	+19.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.51%	8.33%	+15.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.51%	8.33%	+15.18%

YMAX vs. BUYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.33% expense ratio, which is higher than BUYW's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. BUYW - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 71.74%, more than BUYW's 5.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.90%	5.89%	5.93%	5.95%	0.50%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	71.74%	78.70%	44.20%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAX and BUYW in my portfolio?

YMAX and BUYW have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YMAX or BUYW?

YMAX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to BUYW (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAX dropped -26.13% vs BUYW's -9.36%.

Which ETF is better, YMAX or BUYW?

On 1-year performance, BUYW leads with 9.35% vs -2.39% for YMAX. On fees, BUYW is cheaper at 1.29% per year. On volatility, BUYW has been the lower-risk option at 1.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAX or BUYW?

Over the 1-year period, BUYW has performed better with a 9.35% return vs -2.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAX or BUYW?

BUYW is cheaper with a 1.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.33% for YMAX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YMAX or BUYW?

YMAX has the higher dividend yield at 71.74%, compared with 5.90% for BUYW.

What is the main difference between YMAX and BUYW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Main. Their fees differ too: 1.33% for YMAX and 1.29% for BUYW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs -0.10), 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.