3 High-Yield ETFs Paying 12.4% to 62.4%, but Only 2 Made Money in 2026

Three ETFs are paying yields that stretch into the double digits, yet their share prices all finished the year lower. Whether that income actually made investors money depends entirely on which fund you held.

24/7 Wall Street • 21 hours ago

YMAX: Investors Have Abandoned Ship Just When It Is Steadying

YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs is upgraded to hold as strategy changes have steadied NAV and distributions. YMAX's diversification across 28 YieldMax ETFs insulates it from sector-specific risks, with the current heaviest weighting at 5.58% in MRNY. Recent strategy shifts reduced aggressive payouts, resulting in steadier distributions (now 0.8% of NAV weekly) and slower NAV erosion.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 23, 2026

YieldMax® ETFs Announces Weekly Distributions for Group 1 ETFs

CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, Oct. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YieldMax® ETFs announced distributions for the YieldMax® Group 1 weekly pay ETFs. Group 1 Distribution Announcement Ex.

GlobeNewsWire • Oct 6, 2026

The One Investing Strategy I Would Use To Prepare For A Lost Decade

We could very well be on the verge of a lost decade for markets. This sets investors up for several potential traps in their strategy. I detail the one strategy that I would use to position myself to thrive when retired in a lost decade.

Seeking Alpha • Sep 3, 2026

YMAX: Distributing Its Way Into A Reverse Split

The YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs remains a hold due to persistent NAV erosion and an unsustainable distribution policy. Despite a 40%+ annualized yield, YMAX's share price declined 22.7% YTD, and total return is only 4.8% with reinvested distributions. Recent portfolio adjustments—momentum-based allocation, expanded universe, and short ETF inclusion—have not reversed capital outflows or performance issues.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 28, 2026

One Fund Bundles Wall Street's Weekly Payers, Yields ~50%, and Is Actually Up This Year

YMAX's covered-call structure has turned negative on total return this year, while TOPW matches its ~50% yield and is up 6%.

24/7 Wall Street • Aug 26, 2026

YMAX's 1.33% Fee Is Just the Start: How a Fund-of-Funds Structure Is Quietly Stacking Costs on Top of Costs

If you bought YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (NYSEARCA:YMAX) for its eye-catching weekly paycheck, the paycheck is shrinking.

24/7 Wall Street • Jul 14, 2026

9%+ Monthly Yields: 2 Covered Call Funds To Buy And 2 To Avoid

Covered call ETFs have surged in popularity, despite delivering significant underperformance to investors. However, there are some of these funds that might be worth buying depending on your circumstances. Others, however, I fail to see a scenario in which they would ever be worth buying.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 16, 2026

YMAX Vs TOPW: Covered Calls Win The Slow Grind, Leverage Needs Sustained Melt-Up

YMAX remains a relative Buy, while TOPW is a stronger Hold after recent strategy shifts. YMAX's upside capture is now more dependent on higher volatility and slower market rebounds, while TOPW's leverage advantage is eroded in volatile or choppy regimes. YMAX de-risks capital faster, returning ~23.8% of cost in 30 weeks versus TOPW's ~19%, though both experience NAV erosion from high payouts.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 10, 2026

I Wouldn't Dare Buy These 3 Popular Retirement-Wrecker Yield Traps

High-yielding investments often lure retirees in with the promise of providing massive passive income. However, these are often some of the worst possible investments they could make. I share 3 very popular high-yield investments right now that I believe will inflict financial pain on those who bet heavily on them in the future.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 1, 2026