BABO vs YMAX
YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF vs YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF
Which is better, BABO or YMAX?
YMAX has been ahead.
BABO has a lower expense ratio. YMAX led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BABO | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00%Best | 1.33% |
| AUM | $13M | $370M |
| Dividend Yield | 101.42% | 70.90% |
| Holdings | 26 | 60 |
| YTD Return | -26.21% | +5.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | -25.99% | -3.33%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.2% | 20.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.6% | -26.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,384 | $13,208Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 7, 2024 | Jan 16, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 8, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.2 years).
BABO vs YMAX growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.2 years both funds cover.
BABO vs YMAX Performance
YieldMax BABA Option Income Strategy ETF (BABO) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAX) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year BABO returned -25.99% while YMAX returned -3.33%. Year to date, BABO is down 26.21% versus a gain of 5.14% for YMAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BABO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.2% compared with 20.9% for YMAX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -42.6% for BABO and -26.1% for YMAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BABO charges 1.00% per year while YMAX charges 1.33%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $133 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BABO currently yields 101.42% against 70.90% for YMAX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of YMAX's money is in holdings BABO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BABO, our book for it covers 38.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in BABO and 29 in YMAX, against full books of 26 and 60.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BABO | Weight in YMAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGXXXFirst American Government Obligations Fund | 7.60% | 0.89% | 6.71% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BABO and YMAX you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BABO or YMAX?
BABO has an expense ratio of 1.00% while YMAX charges 1.33%. BABO is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BABO or YMAX?
Over the past year BABO returned -25.99% vs -3.33% for YMAX, so YMAX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BABO annualized +6.07% vs +13.48% for YMAX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BABO or YMAX?
BABO has been the more volatile fund at 40.2% annualized versus 20.9% for YMAX. Worst drawdown: BABO -42.6% vs YMAX -26.1%.
Should I hold both BABO and YMAX?
BABO and YMAX have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BABO or YMAX?
BABO yields 101.42% while YMAX yields 70.90%, so BABO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YMAX better than BABO?
BABO has a lower expense ratio. YMAX led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.