Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
HDV vs YMAX
iShares Core High Dividend ETF versus YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
HDV wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YMAX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HDV or YMAX — which is better?
HDV wins this comparison 4–1 across 6 dimensions. HDV yields 3.05% — lower than YMAX's 38.34% — and carries a 7.6/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 4.7/10 for YMAX (Weak). HDV wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YMAX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, YMAX generates 38.34% vs 3.05% — a 35.29% difference that translates to $35,290 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid) vs 4.7/10 (Weak) for YMAX — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | HDV | YMAX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 3.05% | 38.34% | YMAX wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 4.7/10 | HDV wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 133.00% | HDV wins |
| Scale | $14.5B | $364M | HDV wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Ordinary income | HDV wins |
| Overall | 4 wins | 1 wins | HDV wins |
Dimension by dimension
YMAX wins on yield (38.34% vs 3.05%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $3529 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
YMAX's higher yield (38.34%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus HDV's 3.05% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
HDV wins on safety (7.6/10 vs 4.7/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. HDV scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
HDV (7.6/10) scores 2.9 points higher than YMAX (4.7/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV is cheaper (8.00% vs 133.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $12500/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, HDV's lower expense ratio saves roughly $125/year in fees versus YMAX. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
HDV is 39.9× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
HDV is more tax-efficient in a taxable account
YMAX's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from HDV which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
Full breakdown per ticker: are HDV dividends qualified and are YMAX dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
HDV or YMAX — which is better?
HDV is better on our scoring, winning 4–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. HDV wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YMAX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, HDV or YMAX?
HDV wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but YMAX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HDV vs YMAX: which has a higher dividend yield?
HDV yields 3.05% and YMAX yields 38.34%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $3529 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is HDV or YMAX a safer dividend in 2026?
HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. YMAX scores 4.7/10 (Weak). HDV is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, HDV or YMAX?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV vs YMAX: which is more tax-efficient?
YMAX's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from HDV which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put HDV and YMAX into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding HDV diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.