Key Points in This Article: YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY) is an ETF with over 88% yield using a synthetic covered call strategy on volatile stocks.
There's an old saying that volatility brings opportunity. When stock prices move quickly and option prices inflate, the YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSEARCA:ULTY) seizes the opportunity with sizable, frequent cash payouts.
YieldMax has a lengthy menu of high-yielding exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSEARCA:ULTY) is among the most appealing for passive income investors.
The YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSEATCA: ULTY) has captured the attention of many investors who have no qualms about rolling the dice and maintaining a high appetite for risk.
One of the nice things about investing in assets that pay dividends is seeing your portfolio generate income passively.
ULTY's high yields are misleading, as distributions are primarily return of capital, leading to progressive capital erosion for investors. The fund's aggressive covered call strategy limits upside, offers no downside protection, and exposes investors to significant structural risks and volatility. ULTY's high expense ratio and extreme portfolio turnover further erode value, while its sector concentration amplifies risk without true diversification.
The YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF is a fairly risky investment, though the reward can be huge.
ULTY's headline yields are misleading, as much of the payout is return of capital, leading to capital depletion and negative total returns. The fund's strategy—buying stocks with high implied volatility solely to write covered calls—offers no sustainable edge due to efficient market pricing. While writing covered calls can be sensible for natural longs, ULTY's approach simply recycles capital into distributions, minus costs, with no real economic profit.
I rate the YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF a buy for aggressive investors seeking high income and dynamic options strategies. ULTY has delivered strong recent returns and consistent weekly payouts, with improved principal protection since January 2025 as managers refined their approach. The ETF uses a quant-driven, actively managed options strategy targeting volatile, liquid stocks, balancing capped upside with some downside protection.
ULTY delivers an eye-catching 126% yield but does so by targeting highly volatile, speculative stocks for option income, increasing risk. This ETF suits short-term income seekers who fully understand and accept the risks of exposure to sectors like crypto, AI, and quantum. ULTY is not appropriate for long-term investors seeking capital compounding, as its NAV has steadily declined and total returns lag major indexes.
Key Points in This Article: YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF‘s (ULTY) 86.64% distribution rate comes from covered calls on volatile stocks, delivering weekly payouts unlike traditional ETFs.
ULTY ETF's triple-digit yield and weekly payouts seem like a dream combination for income investors. But total return, instead of current yield, is what investors should ultimately focus on. I see several fundamental flaws in ULTY's use of near-term IV (implied volatility) to generate weekly distributions.