Dividend comparison

MARA vs MARO: Which Is Better?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. and YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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MARA vs MARO: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Performance. Over the last 1 year, MARA returned -63.9% versus -85.1% for MARO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $3,608 in MARA and $1,486 in MARO.
  • Risk. MARA has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 1 year was -95.9%, against -89.7% for MARO.

Bottom line: MARA fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns. MARO fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricMARA
Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.
MARO
YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF
Dividend yield (TTM)—249.99%
Dividend / share (TTM)—$6.35
Payout frequency—Weekly
Last dividend—$0.0394 on Oct 16, 2026
Ex-dividend date—Oct 15, 2026
Price$7.48$2.54
Beta5.352.43
Max drawdown (5Y)-95.9%-89.7%
Market cap$2.91B$19.4M
ExchangeNASDAQAMEX
Expense ratio—1.00%
Assets under management—$39.0M
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

MARA

—/mo

Yield data unavailable

MARO

$2083.27/mo

$24999 /yr at 249.99% yield

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 Dec 10, 2024 would now be worth $3,279 in MARA and $1,156 in MARO.
PeriodMARAMARO
1 month-43.50%-43.81%
3 months-35.90%-46.19%
Year to date-16.70%-66.04%
1 year-63.92%-85.14%
3 years-3.61%—
5 years-85.91%—
  • MARA
  • MARO
4561082024202520263312

Both series indexed to 100 on 2024-12-10 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Quick verdict

MARA fits better if you care most about stronger 1-year returns. MARO fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how MARA vs MARO fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
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Frequently asked questions

Is MARA or MARO better for dividend income?
Compare yield, payout sustainability, and how each fund or stock fits your income goals. Use Dividend Wealth to model both holdings inside a real portfolio forecast.
What is the difference between MARA and MARO?
Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) is a stock listed on NASDAQ. YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) 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, MARA or MARO?
Over the last 1 year, MARA has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: MARA returned -63.9% and MARO returned -85.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, MARA or MARO?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, MARA has been riskier: MARA fell as much as 95.9% and MARO as much as 89.7%. Their betas are 5.35 and 2.43.
Can I hold both MARA and MARO?
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 MARA vs MARO with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how MARA and MARO 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.