YMAX vs. SVOL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) and SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YMAX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while SVOL is a Volatility fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, YMAX returned -2.39% vs 17.84% for SVOL. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. YMAX charges 1.33%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SVOL.

Performance

YMAX vs. SVOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). 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 SVOL's 1.56% return.

YMAX

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

SVOL

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: -0.36%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 1Y: 17.84%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 6.86%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.89%

*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)
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	$4.51M	$3.79M	$4.39M
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	$9.31M	$11.31M	$14.54M

YMAX vs. SVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	0.68%	6.04%	26.90%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	1.56%	2.41%	6.03%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and SVOL is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.64

The correlation between YMAX and SVOL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. SVOL — 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

SVOL

SVOL Risk / Return Rank: 42
SVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. SVOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). 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	SVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.10	1.05	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	1.57	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.21	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	1.57	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.20	4.56	-4.77

YMAX vs. SVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is -0.10, which is lower than the SVOL Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAX and SVOL, 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. SVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAX drawdown since its inception was -26.13%, smaller than the maximum SVOL drawdown of -33.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAX and SVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAX	SVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.13%	-33.50%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-11.42%	-14.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-33.50%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.75%	-1.58%	-9.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-4.68%	-1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.72%	3.92%	+7.80%

Volatility

YMAX vs. SVOL - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) at 4.17%. This indicates that YMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAX	SVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	4.17%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.20%	9.63%	+10.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.15%	17.09%	+7.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.51%	21.96%	+1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.51%	21.73%	+1.78%

YMAX vs. SVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.33% expense ratio, which is higher than SVOL's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. SVOL - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 71.74%, more than SVOL's 22.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	22.19%	19.82%	16.79%	16.36%	18.32%	4.65%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	71.74%	78.70%	44.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAX and SVOL in my portfolio?

YMAX and SVOL have a correlation of 0.60, 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 SVOL?

YMAX has higher volatility (6.62%) compared to SVOL (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAX dropped -26.13% vs SVOL's -33.50%.

Which ETF is better, YMAX or SVOL?

On 1-year performance, SVOL leads with 17.84% vs -2.39% for YMAX. On fees, SVOL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SVOL has been the lower-risk option at 4.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAX or SVOL?

Over the 1-year period, SVOL has performed better with a 17.84% 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 SVOL?

SVOL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.33% for YMAX.

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

YMAX has the higher dividend yield at 71.74%, compared with 22.19% for SVOL.

What is the main difference between YMAX and SVOL?

YMAX is categorized as Derivative Income, while SVOL is Volatility. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 1.33% for YMAX and 0.50% for SVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 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.