Dividend comparison
AAPL vs APLY: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Apple Inc. and YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
AAPL vs APLY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. APLY pays more income, yielding 33.42% over the last twelve months versus 0.31% for AAPL. That is about $3,311 more a year on $10,000. AAPL pays quarterly, APLY pays monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 3 years, AAPL returned 98.9% versus 16.2% for APLY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $19,888 in AAPL and $11,621 in APLY.
- Risk. AAPL has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 3 years was -33.4%, against -31.1% for APLY.
Bottom line: AAPL fits better if you care most about stronger 3-year returns. APLY fits better if you care most about more income today.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | AAPL Apple Inc. | APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.31% | 33.42% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.06 | $3.93 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.2700 on Aug 13, 2026 | $0.0575 on Oct 16, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Aug 10, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 4.5% over 4 yrs | — |
| Price | $339.50 | $11.76 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 12.1% | — |
| Dividend growth streak | 13 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.07 | 0.65 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -33.4% | -31.1% |
| Market cap | $5.01T | $120.7M |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | — | 1.04% |
| Assets under management | — | $120.3M |
| Number of holdings | — | 7 |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
AAPL
$2.58/mo
$31 /yr at 0.31% yield
APLY
$278.49/mo
$3342 /yr at 33.42% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. AAPL pays quarterly; APLY pays monthly.
| Year | AAPL | APLY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.0300 | $4.6827 |
| 2024 | $0.9900 | $4.5003 |
| 2023 | $0.9500 | — |
| 2022 | $0.9100 | — |
| 2021 | $0.8650 | — |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Apr 18, 2023 would now be worth $20,710 in AAPL and $11,855 in APLY.
| Period | AAPL | APLY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.00% | -1.26% |
| 3 months | 4.04% | -7.76% |
| Year to date | 25.22% | -11.45% |
| 1 year | 29.94% | -10.64% |
| 3 years | 98.88% | 16.21% |
| 5 years | 133.03% | — |
- AAPL
- APLY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2023-04-18 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- AAPL
- APLY
Quick verdict
AAPL fits better if you care most about stronger 3-year returns. APLY fits better if you care most about more income today. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how AAPL vs APLY fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is AAPL or APLY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. AAPL currently yields 0.31% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while APLY yields 33.42%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between AAPL and APLY?
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF (APLY) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, AAPL or APLY?
Over the last 3 years, AAPL has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: AAPL returned 98.9% and APLY returned 16.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, AAPL or APLY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, AAPL has been riskier: AAPL fell as much as 33.4% and APLY as much as 31.1%. Their betas are 1.07 and 0.65.
How often do AAPL and APLY pay dividends?
AAPL pays quarterly and APLY pays monthly.
How much income does $10,000 in AAPL vs APLY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in AAPL would generate roughly $2.58 per month ($31 annually). The same amount in APLY would produce about $278.49 per month ($3342 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both AAPL and APLY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare AAPL vs APLY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how AAPL and APLY fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.