ULTY vs YMAX
YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF against YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs. Headline yields tell you almost nothing here — below is what each fund actually distributed, what happened to the share price, and the total return that combination produced.
Over the last 12 months YMAX delivered a total return of -6.6% versus -21.1% for ULTY — that is price change plus every distribution actually paid. ULTY advertises a higher headline yield, but headline yield is not what landed in your account.
Prices and 1-year performance as of Oct 15, 2026; distributions through Oct 14, 2026.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +33.9%
- Share price change
- -55.1%
- Total return
- -21.1%
$18.21 paid per share across 51 distributions.
- Distributions received (12mo)
- +35.2%
- Share price change
- -41.8%
- Total return
- -6.6%
$4.51 paid per share across 52 distributions.
Side by side
| Metric | ULTY | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year total return | -21.1% | -6.6%less bad |
| Headline distribution yield | 77.95%higher | 60.38% |
| Paid per share (12mo) | $18.21higher | $4.51 |
| Share price change (1y) | -55.1% | -41.8%better |
| Payout trend (last 3 vs prior 3) | -1.7% | +1.0%better |
| Expense ratio | 1.30%cheaper | 1.33% |
| Distribution frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Payouts in last 12mo | 51 | 52 |
| Fund size | $747Mbigger | $385M |
| Share price | $24.12 | $7.47 |
| Next ex-distribution | Oct 21, 2026 (est.) | Oct 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Last distribution | $0.30 · Oct 14, 2026 | $0.06 · Oct 14, 2026 |
| Fund family | YieldMax | YieldMax |
Distribution history
Last 12 declared payouts per share. Shrinking bars mean the option premium isn't holding up.
- •You want maximum cash flow (77.95% headline) and accept that the share price will likely grind lower.
- •You are comfortable with a negative 12-month total return (-21.1%) in exchange for the income stream.
- •You accept a 1.30% annual fee for the single-stock options strategy.
- •Weekly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $747M matters to you for liquidity.
- •You want maximum cash flow (60.38% headline) and accept that the share price will likely grind lower.
- •You are comfortable with a negative 12-month total return (-6.6%) in exchange for the income stream.
- •You accept a 1.33% annual fee for the single-stock options strategy.
- •Weekly distributions fit how you draw income.
- •Fund size of $385M matters to you for liquidity.
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Frequently asked
Is ULTY or YMAX the better investment?
Measured on 12-month total return — share-price change plus every distribution paid — YMAX came out ahead: -6.6% versus -21.1%. Past total return is not a forecast, but it is a far better guide than headline yield.
What is the yield of ULTY vs YMAX?
ULTY currently shows a distribution yield of 77.95% and YMAX shows 60.38%. Over the trailing 12 months ULTY actually paid $18.21 per share and YMAX paid $4.51 per share.
Does ULTY lose value over time?
ULTY's share price changed -55.1% over the last 12 months. That decline means part of the distribution was funded from capital rather than option premium.
Which fund charges more, ULTY or YMAX?
ULTY charges 1.30% a year and YMAX charges 1.33%. Fees come straight out of the option premium that funds your distribution.
How often do ULTY and YMAX pay?
ULTY pays weekly (51 distributions in the last 12 months) and YMAX pays weekly (52 distributions). Paying more often does not increase total return — it just splits the same amount into smaller cheques.
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