YMAX vs. CRF

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) and CRF (Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.) are both funds - YMAX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while CRF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Cornerstone. Over the past year, YMAX returned 2.88% vs 12.90% for CRF. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YMAX charges 1.28%/yr vs 1.84%/yr for CRF.

Performance

YMAX vs. CRF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAX achieves a -0.45% return, which is significantly higher than CRF's -3.31% return.

YMAX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: -0.45%
• 6M: -2.72%
• 1Y: 2.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CRF

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: -3.31%
• 6M: -1.76%
• 1Y: 12.90%
• 3Y*: 15.78%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

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

YMAX vs. CRF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	-0.45%	6.04%	26.90%
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	-3.31%	12.46%	42.89%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and CRF is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.54

The correlation between YMAX and CRF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. CRF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments 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

CRF

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

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. CRF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF). 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	CRF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.05	0.75	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.23	1.14	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.15	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	0.78	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.11	2.59	-2.48

YMAX vs. CRF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.05, which is lower than the CRF Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAX and CRF, 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. CRF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAX drawdown since its inception was -26.13%, smaller than the maximum CRF drawdown of -80.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAX and CRF.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAX	CRF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.13%	-80.70%	+54.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-14.88%	-11.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.66%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.74%	-5.09%	-6.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.37%	-22.31%	+15.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.14%	4.48%	+6.66%

Volatility

YMAX vs. CRF - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a higher volatility of 10.24% compared to Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) at 4.16%. This indicates that YMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CRF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAX	CRF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.24%	4.16%	+6.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.15%	13.41%	+5.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.11%	15.41%	+7.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.49%	25.07%	-1.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.49%	25.86%	-2.37%

YMAX vs. CRF - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is lower than CRF's 1.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. CRF - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 75.03%, more than CRF's 19.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.	19.63%	17.38%	14.32%	19.94%	29.31%	13.41%	18.91%	21.67%	24.85%	17.96%	24.08%	23.58%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	75.03%	78.70%	44.20%	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 YMAX and CRF in my portfolio?

YMAX and CRF have a correlation of 0.52, 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 CRF?

YMAX has higher volatility (10.24%) compared to CRF (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAX dropped -26.13% vs CRF's -80.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CRF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.05), 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.