Which yield max etf I should invest and keep forever?

The deep research logic is organized as follows: 

Okay, let's tackle this question. The user is asking which YieldMax ETF they should invest in and hold forever. First, I need to look at the data provided in the references and background. The user profile mentions they're a high-risk investor with a short-term horizon, preferring blue-chip stocks and technical analysis. They want to invest a large sum in a single stock, so they're looking for something with high returns quickly.

Looking at the references, there are several YieldMax ETFs mentioned. The most prominent ones are ULTY, YMAX, and others like CRSH, CONY, etc. The user previously asked about ULTY, so they might be considering it again. However, the user wants to hold forever, which is a long-term strategy, conflicting with their short-term preference. But let's focus on the question.

First, check the performance and sustainability of each ETF. ULTY has a very high dividend yield (121.58% TTM) but also a high expense ratio (1.28%) and significant price volatility. The user's previous questions about ULTY's dividends and fees suggest they're interested in the income but might not be aware of the risks. The latest data shows ULTY's price dropped from $20.42 to $6.27 since 2024, which is a big drop. Also, the dividend is 100% return of capital, which isn't sustainable long-term.

YMAX is another ETF mentioned. It's a fund of funds, holding other YieldMax ETFs. The user profile mentions they prefer single stocks, but YMAX is a diversified option. However, YMAX has a high expense ratio too (1.28%) and hasn't performed well since inception, with a 40% drop in NAV. The user might not be interested in a diversified approach if they prefer single stocks.

Other ETFs like CRSH (short TSLA) and CONY (COIN) have high yields but are tied to specific stocks, which could be risky. The user's interest in blue-chip stocks might not align with these since they're more speculative.

The user's profile says they prefer high-risk investments and quick returns, but the question is about holding forever. This is a contradiction. However, the answer needs to address the question as asked. The user might be looking for the best possible ETF from YieldMax that could theoretically be held long-term, despite their usual short-term approach.

Looking at the data, none of the YieldMax ETFs have a proven long-term track record. ULTY and YMAX are relatively new, with performance issues. The expense ratios are high, which could erode returns over time. The high dividend yields are attractive but unsustainable if they're mostly return of capital.

Considering the user's preference for blue-chip stocks, maybe none of the YieldMax ETFs fit. But since the question is about YieldMax ETFs, the answer should focus on the best option among them. ULTY has the highest yield but the highest risks. YMAX is more diversified but still risky. The user might be drawn to ULTY's high dividends despite the risks.

However, the answer should caution against holding any YieldMax ETF forever due to their high fees, volatility, and unproven track records. The user's profile suggests they might not be aware of these risks, so the answer needs to highlight them clearly.

In conclusion, the answer should state that none of the YieldMax ETFs are suitable for a "forever" hold due to their high-risk nature, high fees, and lack of long-term performance data. Instead, the user should consider more stable, low-cost ETFs or individual blue-chip stocks with proven dividend growth histories. But since the question specifically asks for a YieldMax ETF, the answer should mention ULTY as the highest yielding but with the caveat that it's not suitable for long-term holding.

**Conclusion** 🚫
**None of the YieldMax ETFs are suitable for a "forever" hold** due to their **high-risk profiles**, **unsustainable fee structures**, and **lack of a proven long-term track record**. Below is the detailed analysis of the most relevant YieldMax ETFs and why they fall short of being "forever" investments.

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### 📊 Key Analysis of YieldMax ETFs

#### 1. **YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF (ULTY)**
- **Why It’s Tempting**:
- **Highest Dividend Yield**: 121.58% TTM (as of July 2025) .
- **Weekly Distributions**: $0.1029 per share (latest payment on July 23, 2025) .
- **Why It’s Risky**:
- **100% Return of Capital (ROC)**: ULTY’s dividends are not sustainable long-term, as they erode the fund’s net asset value (NAV) .
- **Price Volatility**: ULTY’s price has dropped from $20.42 (IPO in 2024) to $6.27 as of July 2025, a **69% decline** .
- **High Fees**: Gross expense ratio of **1.28%**, with a fee waiver reducing it to 1.14% (expires in February 2026) .

| Metric | Value |
|--------|--------|
| **Annual Dividend Income** | $107,544 (for 20,000 shares) |
| **Annual Fee Burden** | $1,433.56 (for 20,000 shares) |
| **NAV Trend** | Negative since Q1 2025 |

#### 2. **YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs (YMAX)**
- **Why It’s Tempting**:
- **Diversified Exposure**: Holds 32 underlying YieldMax ETFs, including ULTY and sector-specific funds .
- **High Yield**: 36.43% TTM (as of July 2025) .
- **Why It’s Risky**:
- **High Expense Ratio**: 1.28%, higher than single-stock YieldMax ETFs .
- **NAV Decay**: YMAX’s NAV dropped by **40%** since its inception in January 2024 .
- **Unproven Strategy**: As a fund of funds, YMAX’s performance is tied to its constituents, many of which (like ULTY) face their own risks .

| Metric | Value |
|--------|--------|
| **Expense Ratio** | 1.28% |
| **NAV Performance** | -40% since inception |

#### 3. **Other YieldMax ETFs (e.g., CRSH, CONY)**
- **Why They’re Risky**:
- **Speculative Focus**: Many YieldMax ETFs target high-volatility stocks (e.g., TSLA, COIN) or sectors (e.g., crypto, biotech) .
- **High ROC Dependency**: Similar to ULTY, these ETFs rely heavily on return of capital to fund dividends .
- **Lack of Long-Term Data**: Most YieldMax ETFs launched in 2024 or later, with no track record beyond 1–2 years .

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### 📊 Why YieldMax ETFs Are Not “Forever” Investments 🚨
1. **Unsustainable Dividends**: All YieldMax ETFs rely on **return of capital** to fund their high yields, which erodes NAV over time .
2. **High Fees**: Expense ratios (1.14%–1.28%) are **4–20x higher** than low-cost ETFs like Vanguard’s Dividend Appreciation ETF (0.06%) .
3. **Market Volatility**: YieldMax ETFs use **leveraged option strategies** (e.g., covered calls, short puts) that amplify market risks .
4. **No Long-Term Track Record**: None of these ETFs have proven their ability to sustain performance over a decade .

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### 📊 Alternative Recommendations for a “Forever” Hold 🎯
If you’re seeking a **low-risk, long-term income strategy**, consider:
1. **Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)**:
- **Dividend Yield**: ~1.7% (as of July 2025) .
- **Expense Ratio**: 0.06% .
- **Track Record**: 10+ years of consistent dividend growth .
2. **Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)**:
- **Dividend Yield**: ~3.5% (as of July 2025) .
- **Expense Ratio**: 0.06% .
- **Focus**: Companies with 10+ years of dividend growth .
3. **Blue-Chip Stocks**:
- Examples: Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Visa (V) .
- **Advantages**: Proven dividend growth, stable earnings, and lower volatility .

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### 📊 Final Takeaway 🎢
YieldMax ETFs like **ULTY** and **YMAX** are **high-risk, short-term bets** designed for aggressive income seekers, not long-term investors. For a “forever” hold, prioritize **low-cost, dividend-growth ETFs** or **blue-chip stocks** with proven track records. If you insist on YieldMax ETFs, proceed with extreme caution and monitor **ROC disclosures** closely.