YMAX vs. WNTR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) and WNTR (YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds from YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, YMAX returned -2.39% vs 106.92% for WNTR. Their -0.64 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. YMAX charges 1.33%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for WNTR.

Performance

YMAX vs. WNTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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 WNTR's 10.51% return.

YMAX

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

WNTR

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.31%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 1Y: 106.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 47.29%

*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)
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	$3.92M	$3.66M	$3.95M
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	$9.31M	$11.31M	$14.54M

YMAX vs. WNTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	0.68%	12.41%
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	10.51%	52.78%

Correlation

The correlation between YMAX and WNTR is -0.65, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	-0.64

The correlation between YMAX and WNTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.65 to -0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YMAX vs. WNTR — 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

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 69
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 71
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. WNTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) and YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR). 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	WNTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.10	1.97	-2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.03	2.27	-2.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.30	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	2.52	-2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.20	6.38	-6.58

YMAX vs. WNTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YMAX Sharpe Ratio is -0.10, which is lower than the WNTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YMAX and WNTR, 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. WNTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YMAX drawdown since its inception was -26.13%, smaller than the maximum WNTR drawdown of -42.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YMAX and WNTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	YMAX	WNTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.13%	-42.65%	+16.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.13%	-42.65%	+16.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.75%	-9.84%	-0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.57%	-20.15%	+13.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.72%	16.83%	-5.11%

Volatility

YMAX vs. WNTR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) is 6.62%, while YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a volatility of 13.00%. This indicates that YMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WNTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YMAX	WNTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	13.00%	-6.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.20%	47.22%	-27.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.15%	54.66%	-30.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.51%	53.34%	-29.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.51%	53.34%	-29.83%

YMAX vs. WNTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

YMAX has a 1.33% expense ratio, which is higher than WNTR's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

YMAX vs. WNTR - Dividend Comparison

YMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 71.74%, less than WNTR's 107.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
WNTR YieldMax MSTR Short Option Income Strategy ETF	107.26%	58.56%	0.00%
YMAX YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	71.74%	78.70%	44.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YMAX and WNTR in my portfolio?

YMAX and WNTR have a correlation of -0.65, 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 WNTR?

WNTR has higher volatility (13.00%) compared to YMAX (6.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YMAX dropped -26.13% vs WNTR's -42.65%.

Which ETF is better, YMAX or WNTR?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 106.92% vs -2.39% for YMAX. On fees, WNTR is cheaper at 1.00% per year. On volatility, YMAX has been the lower-risk option at 6.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YMAX or WNTR?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 106.92% 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 WNTR?

WNTR is cheaper with a 1.00% expense ratio, compared with 1.33% for YMAX.

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

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 107.26%, compared with 71.74% for YMAX.

What is the main difference between YMAX and WNTR?

Their fees differ too: 1.33% for YMAX and 1.00% for WNTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WNTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 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.