BAUG vs YMAX
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August vs YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF
Which is better, BAUG or YMAX?
BAUG has been ahead.
BAUG has a lower expense ratio. BAUG 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 | BAUG | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 1.33% |
| AUM | $274M | $370M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 70.90% |
| Holdings | 18 | 60 |
| YTD Return | +10.97%Best | +5.14% |
| 1Y Return | +14.01%Best | -3.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.37% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.70% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.9%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.8%Best | -26.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $15,414Best | $14,117 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2019 | Jan 16, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.7 years).
BAUG 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
BAUG vs YMAX Performance
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (BAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAX) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year BAUG returned +14.01% while YMAX returned -3.33%. Year to date, BAUG is up 10.97% versus a gain of 5.14% for YMAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YMAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 7.9% for BAUG. 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 -13.8% for BAUG 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAUG charges 0.79% per year while YMAX charges 1.33%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $133 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAUG currently yields 0.00% against 70.90% for YMAX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAUG 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, BAUG or YMAX?
BAUG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while YMAX charges 1.33%. BAUG is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAUG or YMAX?
Over the past year BAUG returned +14.01% vs -3.33% for YMAX, so BAUG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAUG or YMAX?
YMAX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 7.9% for BAUG. Worst drawdown: BAUG -13.8% vs YMAX -26.1%.
Should I hold both BAUG and YMAX?
BAUG and YMAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, BAUG or YMAX?
BAUG yields 0.00% while YMAX yields 70.90%, so YMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YMAX better than BAUG?
BAUG has a lower expense ratio. BAUG 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.