BUYW vs YMAX
Main BuyWrite ETF vs YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF
Which is better, BUYW or YMAX?
Each has led over a different period.
BUYW has a lower expense ratio. BUYW led over 1Y, YMAX over 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 | BUYW | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99%Best | 1.33% |
| AUM | $1.5B | $370M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.97% | 70.90% |
| Holdings | 44 | 60 |
| YTD Return | +2.17% | +5.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.56%Best | -3.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.50% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.2%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -26.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $12,153 | $14,117Best |
| Fund Family | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2015 | Jan 16, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), 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).
BUYW 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.
BUYW vs YMAX Performance
Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAX) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year BUYW returned +3.56% while YMAX returned -3.33%. Year to date, BUYW is up 2.17% 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 3.2% for BUYW. 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 -9.4% for BUYW 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUYW charges 0.99% per year while YMAX charges 1.33%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $133 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUYW currently yields 5.97% against 70.90% for YMAX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in BUYW and 29 in YMAX, totalling 115.1% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in BUYW and 29 in YMAX, against full books of 44 and 60.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUYW 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, BUYW or YMAX?
BUYW has an expense ratio of 0.99% while YMAX charges 1.33%. BUYW is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUYW or YMAX?
Over the past year BUYW returned +3.56% vs -3.33% for YMAX, so BUYW leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUYW or YMAX?
YMAX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 3.2% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BUYW -9.4% vs YMAX -26.1%.
Should I hold both BUYW and YMAX?
BUYW and YMAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, BUYW or YMAX?
BUYW yields 5.97% while YMAX yields 70.90%, so YMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YMAX better than BUYW?
BUYW has a lower expense ratio. BUYW led over 1Y, YMAX over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.