YMAX vs. BUYW

Last updated Jun 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 9.02% vs 9.76% for BUYW. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YMAX charges 1.28%/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 6.06% return, which is significantly higher than BUYW's 3.39% return.

YMAX

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 6.76%
• YTD: 6.06%
• 6M: 3.56%
• 1Y: 9.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUYW

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 9.76%
• 3Y*: 8.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YMAX vs. BUYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	6.06%	6.04%	26.26%
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	3.39%	9.08%	10.23%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and BUYW is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 18, 2024	0.54

The correlation between YMAX and BUYW shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

YMAX vs. BUYW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAX	BUYW
Technology	68.7%	24.0%
Financial Services	13.8%	15.3%
Communication Services	6.9%	16.9%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	6.4%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.0%
Industrials	1.9%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	3.2%
Healthcare	0.8%	13.0%
Utilities	0.2%	1.3%
Energy	0.1%	13.6%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.0%

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. BUYW — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 14
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

BUYW

BUYW Risk / Return Rank: 71
BUYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BUYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
BUYW Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BUYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUYW Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

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.

	YMAX	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	2.03	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	3.08	-2.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.40	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	3.79	-3.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.82	20.24	-19.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YMAX vs. BUYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the BUYW Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	YMAX	BUYW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	2.03	-1.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	1.17	-0.47

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	-5.98%	-0.21%	-5.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.33%	-0.61%	-5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.99%	0.48%	+10.51%

Volatility

YMAX vs. BUYW - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to Main Buywrite ETF (BUYW) at 1.02%. 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	6.22%	1.02%	+5.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.10%	4.03%	+13.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.62%	4.85%	+16.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.97%	8.47%	+14.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.97%	8.47%	+14.50%

YMAX vs. BUYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is lower than BUYW's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. BUYW - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 72.94%, more than BUYW's 5.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUYW Main Buywrite ETF	5.91%	5.89%	5.93%	5.95%	0.50%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	72.94%	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 0.41, 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 (6.22%) compared to BUYW (1.02%). 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 9.76% vs 9.02% for YMAX. On fees, YMAX is cheaper at 1.28% per year. On volatility, BUYW has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. 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 9.76% return vs 9.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAX or BUYW?

YMAX is cheaper with a 1.28% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for BUYW.

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

YMAX has the higher dividend yield at 72.94%, compared with 5.91% for BUYW.

What is the main difference between YMAX and BUYW?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Main Funds. Their fees differ too: 1.28% for YMAX and 1.29% for BUYW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.42), 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.