YMAG vs ZAUG
YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETF vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August
Which is better, YMAG or ZAUG?
YMAG has been ahead.
ZAUG has a lower expense ratio. YMAG 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 | YMAG | ZAUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.34% | 0.79%Best |
| AUM | $298M | $163M |
| Dividend Yield | 52.90% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 18 | 21 |
| YTD Return | +10.47%Best | +4.83% |
| 1Y Return | +11.86%Best | +5.64% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 3.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.0% | -4.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $15,124Best | $11,648 |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2024 | Jul 31, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2024 to Oct 19, 2026 (2.2 years).
YMAG vs ZAUG 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
YMAG vs ZAUG Performance
YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAG) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year YMAG returned +11.86% while ZAUG returned +5.64%. Year to date, YMAG is up 10.47% versus a gain of 4.83% for ZAUG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YMAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 3.0% for ZAUG. 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 -26.0% for YMAG and -4.8% for ZAUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
YMAG charges 1.34% per year while ZAUG charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $134 vs $79 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, YMAG currently yields 52.90% against 0.00% for ZAUG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in YMAG and 1 in ZAUG, totalling 100.1% and 100.5% 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 25 positions we hold weights for in YMAG and 1 in ZAUG, against full books of 18 and 21.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of YMAG and ZAUG 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, YMAG or ZAUG?
YMAG has an expense ratio of 1.34% while ZAUG charges 0.79%. ZAUG is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, YMAG or ZAUG?
Over the past year YMAG returned +11.86% vs +5.64% for ZAUG, so YMAG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), YMAG annualized +20.69% vs +7.18% for ZAUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, YMAG or ZAUG?
YMAG has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 3.0% for ZAUG. Worst drawdown: YMAG -26.0% vs ZAUG -4.8%.
Should I hold both YMAG and ZAUG?
YMAG and ZAUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, YMAG or ZAUG?
YMAG yields 52.90% while ZAUG yields 0.00%, so YMAG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZAUG better than YMAG?
ZAUG has a lower expense ratio. YMAG 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.