Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
NFLX has lagged NFLY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -40.41% total return against -35.80%. The picture flips over 3 years, though — NFLX has compounded at 25.03% a year, ahead of NFLY at 18.30%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Aug 2023” measures every fund from August 8, 2023 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Distribution rate, SEC yield and return of capital
Metric
NFLX
NFLY
Forward distribution rate
—
25.01%
Trailing 12-month yield
—
59.07%
30-day SEC yield
—
3.43%
Return of capital
—
86.33%
Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. Return of capital is the share of a recent distribution that was not income. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.
Not a distribution payer
NFLX (Netflix, Inc.) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. NFLX is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Provides subscription-based streaming entertainment services offering TV series, documentaries, feature films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages worldwide.
YieldMax NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF seeks current income while providing indirect exposure to the share price returns of Netflix, Inc. common stock, subject to a limit on potential investment gains. The fund does not invest directly in Netflix, Inc.; it uses a synthetic covered call strategy built from standardized exchange-traded options.
Bottom lineChoose NFLX if you want direct ownership of the underlying business, with no fund wrapper or management fee. Choose NFLY if you want to maximize current income — roughly 25.01%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: NFLY's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while NFLX keeps full price exposure.
How the risk works
Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.
Capped upside and premium dependence. NFLY generates income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
YieldMax is known for specializing in options-based and income-focused ETFs that emphasize yield generation through covered call strategies and other income-producing methodologies. The firm operates a diverse lineup of 63 funds organized across multiple families including covered call strategies, 0DTE (zero days to expiration) options, double distribution approaches, and various target-date and performance-based portfolios designed to generate regular distributions. Notable offerings span popular underlying assets like major technology stocks and broad market indices, with a particular emphasis on providing enhanced income solutions for investors seeking regular cash flows through options strategies and other tactical approaches.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on NFLY.
NFLX (Netflix, Inc.) is a stock, while NFLY (YieldMax NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF) is an ETF — their trading structures differ.
NFLY currently shows a 25.01% distribution yield. NFLX has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
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On a $10,000 investment, NFLX has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while NFLY would produce $48.10 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.
NFLX yield—
NFLY yield25.01%
Cost & efficiency
NFLY charges a 1.01% expense ratio — roughly $1,010 over 10 years on $10,000 (simplified, not compounded). NFLX is a stock, not a fund, so it charges no expense ratio.
NFLY ER1.01%
Strategy & risk
NFLX is a stock built around streaming exposure, while NFLY tracks Netflix (NFLX) with a covered call approach. Beta is 1.613 for NFLX and 0.46 for NFLY, making NFLY the less volatile of the two by this measure.
NFLX beta1.613
NFLY beta0.46
Security details
NFLX (Netflix, Inc.) is a stock. NFLY is managed by YieldMax (launched 08/07/2023) with $33.7M in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Which of NFLX or NFLY pays more dividend income?
NFLY currently reports a distribution yield, while NFLX has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.
What is the difference between NFLX and NFLY?
NFLX (Netflix, Inc.) is a stock built around streaming exposure, while NFLY (YieldMax NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF) tracks Netflix (NFLX) with a covered call approach. They are issued by — and YieldMax respectively.
Can I hold both NFLX and NFLY?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, NFLX or NFLY?
NFLY charges a 1.01% expense ratio. NFLX is a stock, not a fund, so it has no expense ratio — owning it directly costs nothing in ongoing fund fees.
How much income does $10,000 in NFLX vs NFLY generate?
At current rates, NFLX does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. The same in NFLY would produce about $48.10 cash per distribution ($2,501.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, NFLX or NFLY?
NFLX has lagged NFLY over the trailing twelve months, posting a -40.41% total return against -35.80%. The picture flips over 3 years, though — NFLX has compounded at 25.03% a year, ahead of NFLY at 18.30%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The core difference is straightforward: NFLX offers direct equity ownership with no income payout, while NFLY trades call upside for a high income stream backed by options mechanics. NFLY's 25.01% distribution rate reflects the income generated by selling near-the-money calls, while NFLX generates zero cash income to shareholders. The second major gap is volatility: NFLY's 0.46 is substantially lower than NFLX's 1.613, reflecting the call sales that dampen price swings but also limit gains. Third, NFLY's $33.7M is a small pool and the fund itself is relatively new (inception 08/07/2023), whereas NFLX has been publicly traded since 05/23/2002. Works for long-term holders who believe in Netflix's competitive moat and growth runway.
Key risks to know
NAV erosion at extreme yields. A 25.01% annualized distribution rate, paid weekly, suggests NFLY relies heavily on option premium and may return capital alongside genuine income. If Netflix volatility compresses, premium shrinks, and the fund could face pressure to cut distributions or see NAV decline—a pattern typical of synthetic-income products when underlying volatility normalizes.
Call strike and capped upside.NFLY's covered call strikes are fixed at inception or reset periodically. This is not volatility risk—it's structural: upside is simply unavailable by design.
Options liquidity and roll risk.NFLY depends on continuous availability of liquid calls to sell and rebalance. If call liquidity dries up (a tail risk during market stress), the fund's ability to execute its strategy declines, potentially forcing it to hold forced positions or suspend trading.
Tracking mismatch and fund risk. With only $33.7M in assets, NFLY is illiquid relative to NFLX shares.
Concentrated single-name exposure. Both securities offer only Netflix; neither diversifies risk. NFLY's options overlay does not reduce concentration—it only dampens the daily volatility of that single holding. If you already hold Netflix or want Netflix exposure paired with weekly cash distributions—and you're comfortable sacrificing upside above a call strike and paying 1.01% in fees—NFLY's income yield may justify the structural tradeoff. Past performance, especially the options premium captured during NFLY's brief history, does not predict future distributions or volatility regimes.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
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