ULTY vs YMAX: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETFYieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: ULTY vs YMAX
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026
DividendDuel.comULTY vs YMAX at a glance
YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) and YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, YMAX returned -2.39% with dividends reinvested, compared with -11.14% for ULTY. ULTY currently yields 100.32% (trailing 12-month) against 61.86% for YMAX.
The higher-yielding fund (ULTY) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.
| Metric | ULTY | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $20.97 | $6.80 |
| Dividend yield | 100.32% (TTM) | 61.86% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 1.24% | 1.28% |
| Pays | weekly | weekly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $21.04 (53 payments) | $4.21 (52 payments) |
| Issuer | YieldMax ETFs | YieldMax ETFs |
| Inception | — | — |
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Dividends
Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.
Downside and distribution variability
Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.
Across 677 shared trading dates from February 29, 2024 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -26.53% for ULTY and -26.11% for YMAX. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
ULTY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.0003 to $0.642 per share across 53 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
YMAX's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.0336 to $0.1506 per share across 52 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.
Recent distributions
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| ULTY | YMAX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | $0.2469 | Nov 4, 2026 | $0.0528 |
| Oct 28, 2026 | $0.2647 | Oct 28, 2026 | $0.0554 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | $0.2772 | Oct 21, 2026 | $0.0563 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | $0.2955 | Oct 14, 2026 | $0.0594 |
| Oct 7, 2026 | $0.3016 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.0603 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | $0.2943 | Sep 30, 2026 | $0.0596 |
| Sep 23, 2026 | $0.3058 | Sep 23, 2026 | $0.0596 |
| Sep 16, 2026 | $0.2967 | Sep 16, 2026 | $0.0582 |
| Sep 9, 2026 | $0.3044 | Sep 9, 2026 | $0.0598 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | $0.3048 | Sep 2, 2026 | $0.0601 |
| Aug 26, 2026 | $0.3076 | Aug 26, 2026 | $0.059 |
| Aug 19, 2026 | $0.3197 | Aug 19, 2026 | $0.0599 |
ULTY vs YMAX: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, ULTY or YMAX?
As of November 9, 2026, ULTY yields 100.32% (trailing 12-month) and YMAX yields 61.86% (trailing 12-month), so ULTY currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, ULTY or YMAX?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, ULTY returned -11.14% and YMAX returned -2.39%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in ULTY vs YMAX be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $8,886 in ULTY and $9,761 in YMAX.
Which is cheaper to own, ULTY or YMAX?
ULTY has the lower expense ratio at 1.24% a year, compared with 1.28% for YMAX. On $10,000 that is roughly $124 vs $128 a year.
How often do ULTY and YMAX pay dividends?
ULTY pays weekly (53 payments in the last 12 months) and YMAX pays weekly (52 payments).
Is ULTY or YMAX the better investment?
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
Research ULTY and YMAX beyond the yield
Distinguish a fund's strategy from ownership of the underlying company. Review issuer documents for derivatives and concentration risks, and compare payouts with the change in invested value.
Review YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) payment history and YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.
For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with ULTY and YMAX.
Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.