MARO vs VYM
YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MARO or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | MARO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 213.90% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 12 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.80% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -42.71% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 52.1% | 10.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $4,605 | $12,750Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
MARO vs VYM 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MARO vs VYM Performance
YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MARO returned -42.71% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, MARO is up 4.80% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MARO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 52.1% compared with 10.0% for VYM. 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 -71.8% for MARO and -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.18. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MARO charges 1.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $4 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MARO currently yields 213.90% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MARO and VYM 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, MARO or VYM?
MARO has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MARO or VYM?
Over the past year MARO returned -42.71% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MARO annualized -35.00% vs +14.45% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MARO or VYM?
MARO has been the more volatile fund at 52.1% annualized versus 10.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MARO -71.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MARO and VYM?
MARO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.18, 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, MARO or VYM?
MARO yields 213.90% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MARO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MARO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.