SPY vs YMAG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | YMAG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 1.34% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $278M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 58.52% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 9 | |
| YTD Return | +13.68% | +2.63% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.53% | +11.21% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.18% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 17.9% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -26.0% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | YieldMax ETF | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 29, 2024 |
SPY vs YMAG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAG) is a ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% while YMAG returned +11.21%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.68% versus a gain of 2.63% for YMAG.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YMAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -56.5% for SPY and -26.0% for YMAG. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while YMAG charges 1.34%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $134 annually, a gap of $125 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 58.52% for YMAG.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and YMAG share 0 holdings out of 511 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or YMAG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while YMAG charges 1.34%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $125 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or YMAG?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% vs +11.21% for YMAG, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +21.68% for YMAG. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or YMAG?
YMAG has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs YMAG -26.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and YMAG?
SPY and YMAG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and YMAG?
SPY and YMAG share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 511 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or YMAG?
SPY yields 1.01% while YMAG yields 58.52%, so YMAG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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