YMAX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YMAX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. YMAX is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, YMAX returned 9.04% vs 28.79% for VTI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. YMAX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

YMAX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YMAX achieves a 6.30% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.72% return.

YMAX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 6.50%
• YTD: 6.30%
• 6M: 3.22%
• 1Y: 9.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

YMAX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	6.30%	6.04%	26.26%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	25.20%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and VTI is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 18, 2024	0.82

The correlation between YMAX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

YMAX vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YMAX	VTI
Technology	68.7%	33.5%
Financial Services	13.8%	12.0%
Communication Services	6.9%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	10.0%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.0%
Industrials	1.9%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	4.7%
Healthcare	0.8%	9.2%
Utilities	0.2%	2.3%
Energy	0.1%	3.7%
Real Estate	0.0%	2.4%

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

YMAX

YMAX Risk / Return Rank: 15
YMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
YMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
YMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
YMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
YMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	2.38	-1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	3.24	-2.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.43	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	3.24	-2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.82	14.94	-14.12
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAX and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	2.38	-1.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.51	+0.19

Drawdowns

YMAX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAX drawdown since its inception was -26.13%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.13%	-55.45%	+29.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-8.92%	-17.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.75%	-0.26%	-5.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.33%	-8.03%	+1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.00%	1.93%	+9.07%

Volatility

YMAX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.90%. This indicates that YMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	2.90%	+3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.09%	9.13%	+7.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.60%	12.17%	+9.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.95%	17.40%	+5.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.95%	18.30%	+4.65%

YMAX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 72.77%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	72.77%	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 VTI in my portfolio?

YMAX and VTI have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VTI?

YMAX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAX dropped -26.13% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, YMAX or VTI?

On 1-year performance, VTI leads with 28.79% vs 9.04% for YMAX. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAX or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, VTI has performed better with a 28.79% return vs 9.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YMAX or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.28% for YMAX.

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

YMAX has the higher dividend yield at 72.77%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between YMAX and VTI?

YMAX is categorized as Derivative Income, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.28% for YMAX and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.