QYLD vs YMAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 7, 2026, YMAX yields more: 62.53% (dividend yield) against 12.52% for QYLD. QYLD is cheaper to own at 0.60% a year vs 1.33%. Over the same 2 years (Jan 2024 to Oct 2026), QYLD returned 13.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and YMAX 10.8%.
QYLDGlobal X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF12.52%dividend yield
YMAXYieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs62.53%dividend yield| Compared | QYLD | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 12.52% | 62.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 1.33% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +15.7% | −7.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +15.8% | — |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +7.8% | — |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.7% | — |
| Worst drop since Jan 2024 | -9.1% | -21.0% |
| Share price since Jan 2024 | +2% | −66% |
| Pays | Monthly | Weekly |
| Issuer | Global X | YieldMax |
| Assets | $8.2B | $336.0M |
| Started | 2013 | 2024 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Derivative Income |
Higher yield
YMAX
62.53%
Lower cost
QYLD
0.60%
Better total return
QYLD
13.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
QYLD
-9.1%
Key facts: QYLD vs YMAX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 7, 2026, QYLD yields 12.52% (dividend yield) and YMAX yields 62.53% (dividend yield).
- QYLD's expense ratio is 0.60% and YMAX's is 1.33%: $60 vs $133 a year on $10,000.
- From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QYLD grew to $14,221 (13.7% a year) and $10,000 in YMAX to $13,243 (10.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -9.1% for QYLD and -21.0% for YMAX.
- 0 of QYLD's top ten holdings are also in YMAX's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QYLD vs YMAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 7, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qyld-vs-ymax
$10,000 in each, Jan 2024 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QYLD became
$14,221
13.7% a year
YMAX became
$13,243
10.8% a year
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
QYLD
- AAPL Apple Inc8.2%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.3%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.2%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.0%
- WMT Walmart Inc2.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.7%
YMAX
- MRNY YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF5.2%
- PLTY YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF5.0%
- AMDY YieldMax AMD Option Income Strategy ETF4.8%
- AIYY YieldMax AI Option Income Strategy ETF4.8%
- MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF4.7%
- FBY YieldMax META Option Income Strategy ETF4.6%
- XOMO YieldMax XOM Option Income Strategy ETF4.5%
- YBIT YieldMax Bitcoin Option Inc Strat ETF4.3%
- SNOY YieldMax SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF4.3%
- APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF4.3%
QYLD vs YMAX: questions
Is QYLD or YMAX better?
It depends on the job. YMAX pays more today (62.53% vs 12.52%), QYLD costs less, and QYLD has the better total return over Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, with QYLD holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, QYLD or YMAX?
YMAX, at 62.53% against 12.52% for QYLD as of Nov 7, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $6,253 vs $1,252 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
QYLD. From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, it returned 13.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 10.8% for YMAX. $10,000 became $14,221 vs $13,243.
Which is cheaper, QYLD or YMAX?
QYLD, with a 0.60% expense ratio against 1.33%.
Do QYLD and YMAX hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. QYLD leads on 4 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 7, 2026.