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Active ETF Scorecard: Stocks Slide and Bonds Climb in a Split Week for Active ETFs

Shauvik Haldar

|

Each week, we calculate the equal-weighted average YTD total return for hundreds of active ETFs across every category. We include funds with at least $10 million in AUM and exclude leveraged and inverse funds. This shows which categories of active ETFs are outperforming or trailing the S&P 500, which generated 11.34% in YTD total return through November 9, 2026.

Active ETF Scorecard

Avg YTD: +12.84% Active Dividend, +12.84% Avg YTD: +7.54% Active EM Equity, +7.54% Avg YTD: +7.32% Active International Equity, +7.32% Avg YTD: +6.14% Active Alts, +6.14% Avg YTD: +6.09% Active U.S. Equity, +6.09% Avg YTD: +5.46% Active Covered Call, +5.46%
Avg YTD: +1.36% Active Foreign Fixed Income, +1.36% Avg YTD: +1.28% Active High Yield Bond, +1.28% Avg YTD: +1.22% Active Muni Bond, +1.22% Avg YTD: +1.16% Active U.S. Fixed Income, +1.16% Avg YTD: -0.02% Active Core Bond, -0.02%

As of November 9, 2026

The S&P 500 delivered 11.34% YTD total return through November 9, 2026. Here’s how each category’s top active ETF performed.

Top Performing Active ETFs

Showing the top-performing ETF by YTD total return in each category

Category Category Return
YTD		 Top Performing ETF ETF YTD Total
Return		 Expense Ratio
Active Dividend
12.84%
MYLD Cambria Micro And SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF 25.06% 1.09%
Active EM Equity
7.54%
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF 37.40% 0.86%
Active International Equity
7.32%
GMOI GMO International Value ETF 19.33% 0.60%
Active Alts
6.14%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF 60.71% 1.12%
Active U.S. Equity
6.09%
ARKG ARK Genomic Revolution ETF 56.89% 0.75%
Active Covered Call
5.46%
MRNY YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF 532.03% 1.00%
Active Foreign Fixed Income
1.36%
GGOV iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF 5.33% 0.39%
Active High Yield Bond
1.28%
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF 3.44% 0.52%
Active Muni Bond
1.22%
PUSH PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF 2.48% 0.15%
Active U.S. Fixed Income
1.16%
PFIX Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF 15.99% 0.50%
Active Core Bond
-0.02%
USDX SGI Enhanced Core ETF 5.46% 1.05%
As of November 9, 2026 MutualFunds.com logo

Active Dividend (YTD Total Return: +12.84%)

Active Dividend leads for a third week despite slipping to +12.84% from +15.11%. Its lead grew past five points, so watch tech exposure.

Cambria Micro And SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF (MYLD), up 25.06%, stays first as small caps fell less than the Nasdaq. Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD), up 23.89%, is second, and Freedom Day Dividend ETF (MBOX), up 21.85%, enters at third. Shareholder yield is one style among many in our list of dividend funds and ETFs.

Active EM Equity (YTD Total Return: +7.54%)

Active EM Equity stays second but falls to +7.54% from +10.18%. Check each fund’s Korea weight.

The KOSPI, South Korea’s main stock index, lost 11.7% as foreigners sold chipmakers over possible U.S. limits on AI data centers. Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ), up 37.40%, still leads. First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM), up 25.83%, and OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM), up 18.02%, follow. Korea weights vary widely, so compare funds across emerging markets equity, emerging Europe, and emerging Asia-Pacific funds and ETFs.

Active International Equity (YTD Total Return: +7.32%)

Active International Equity holds third at +7.32%, down from +9.10%, and now trails EM by just 0.22 points.

GMO International Value ETF (GMOI), up 19.33%, stays first. Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF (RAYJ), up 18.31%, enters at second, and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL), up 17.54%, is third. Japan, Europe and value specialists all appear in our list of international equity funds and ETFs.

Active Alts (YTD Total Return: +6.14%)

Active Alts climbs to fourth at +6.14% from +7.82%, passing U.S. equity. Know which commodity drives a fund.

Oil fell over 12% on hopes of an end to the U.S.-Iran war, while gold rose about 5%. Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY), up 60.71%, still leads. VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT), up 50.01%, and iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT), up 44.45%, follow. Oil, gold and hedged strategies sit side by side among diversified alternatives funds and ETFs.

Active U.S. Equity (YTD Total Return: +6.09%)

Active U.S. Equity drops to fifth at +6.09% from +8.77%, the steepest fall of any category. The Nasdaq entered a correction, so check AI and chip exposure.

ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG), up 56.89%, keeps first. VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS), up 33.28%, lost over 17 points as chip stocks fell about 12%. Alpha Architect US Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL), up 29.93%, held up better. If you want less AI risk, weigh U.S. growth equity and U.S. value equity funds and ETFs.

Active Covered Call (YTD Total Return: +5.46%)

Active Covered Call stays sixth, down to +5.46% from +6.76%. Watch the stocks under the options.

YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF (MRNY), up 532.03%, climbed again. YieldMax AMD Option Income Strategy ETF (AMDY), up 75.28%, and YieldMax Target 12 Semiconductor Option Income ETF (SOXY), up 28.34%, fell in the chip rout. Before chasing a big payout, compare single-stock funds with the wider list of high-yield dividend income funds and ETFs.

Active Foreign Fixed Income (YTD Total Return: +1.36%)

Active Foreign Fixed Income stays the top bond category, up to +1.36% from +1.02%. The dollar fell after the midterms, so check currency hedging.

iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF (GGOV), up 5.33%, yields near 2.9%. WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund (CEW), up 3.70%, is second. Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY), up 2.94%, yields near 8.3%, income that can cushion price swings. Hedged and unhedged choices are both listed under international bond funds and ETFs.

Active High Yield Bond (YTD Total Return: +1.28%)

Active High Yield Bond holds eighth, up to +1.28% from +0.83%. Only 0.34 points split the top three, so income can decide.

iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH), up 3.44%, yields near 6.5%. Pacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF (FLRT), up 3.41%, yields about 6.7%, and PIMCO Senior Loan Active ETF (LONZ), up 3.10%, yields 5.3%. Both hold floating-rate loans, which pay more if the Fed hikes. Weigh payouts against credit risk in our list of high-yield bond funds and ETFs.

Active Muni Bond (YTD Total Return: +1.22%)

Active Muni Bond climbs to ninth at +1.22% from +0.41%, the biggest gain of any category. Short maturities still lead.

PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF (PUSH), up 2.48%, takes first with a yield near 3.2%. Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF (GUMI), up 2.36%, yields about 2.4%, and iShares Intermediate Muni Income Active ETF (INMU), up 2.35%, is third. Tax-free income is worth more in top brackets. Tax-equivalent yields differ by maturity, so browse all municipal bond funds and ETFs.

Active U.S. Fixed Income (YTD Total Return: +1.16%)

Active U.S. Fixed Income rises to +1.16% from +0.82% but slips to tenth. Option-based funds lead.

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX), up 15.99%, eased as Treasury yields dipped after the midterms. SoFi Enhanced Yield ETF (THTA), up 12.29%, pays a 10% distribution rate, but its 3% SEC yield shows most comes from options. Calamos Convertible Equity Alternative ETF (CVRT), up 8.25%, is third. For plain bond exposure without options, see corporate bond and government bond funds and ETFs.

Active Core Bond (YTD Total Return: -0.02%)

Active Core Bond stays last but nearly breaks even at -0.02%, from -0.44%. Short, fixed-maturity funds lead.

SGI Enhanced Core ETF (USDX), up 5.46%, yields near 6.7%. State Street My2026 Corporate Bond ETF (MYCF), up 3.40%, and State Street My2027 Corporate Bond ETF (MYCG), up 2.94%, follow. A steadier core can start with investment-grade corporate bond and government bond funds and ETFs.

Categories to Watch

Dividend funds have led for three weeks, and value held up best. October payrolls nearly tripled forecasts, and markets now price a December 9 Fed hike as likely, which favors floating-rate and short-maturity bonds.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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Popular Articles

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Active ETF Scorecard: Stocks Slide and Bonds Climb in a Split Week for Active ETFs

Shauvik Haldar

|

Each week, we calculate the equal-weighted average YTD total return for hundreds of active ETFs across every category. We include funds with at least $10 million in AUM and exclude leveraged and inverse funds. This shows which categories of active ETFs are outperforming or trailing the S&P 500, which generated 11.34% in YTD total return through November 9, 2026.

Active ETF Scorecard

Avg YTD: +12.84% Active Dividend, +12.84% Avg YTD: +7.54% Active EM Equity, +7.54% Avg YTD: +7.32% Active International Equity, +7.32% Avg YTD: +6.14% Active Alts, +6.14% Avg YTD: +6.09% Active U.S. Equity, +6.09% Avg YTD: +5.46% Active Covered Call, +5.46%
Avg YTD: +1.36% Active Foreign Fixed Income, +1.36% Avg YTD: +1.28% Active High Yield Bond, +1.28% Avg YTD: +1.22% Active Muni Bond, +1.22% Avg YTD: +1.16% Active U.S. Fixed Income, +1.16% Avg YTD: -0.02% Active Core Bond, -0.02%

As of November 9, 2026

The S&P 500 delivered 11.34% YTD total return through November 9, 2026. Here’s how each category’s top active ETF performed.

Top Performing Active ETFs

Showing the top-performing ETF by YTD total return in each category

Category Category Return
YTD		 Top Performing ETF ETF YTD Total
Return		 Expense Ratio
Active Dividend
12.84%
MYLD Cambria Micro And SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF 25.06% 1.09%
Active EM Equity
7.54%
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF 37.40% 0.86%
Active International Equity
7.32%
GMOI GMO International Value ETF 19.33% 0.60%
Active Alts
6.14%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF 60.71% 1.12%
Active U.S. Equity
6.09%
ARKG ARK Genomic Revolution ETF 56.89% 0.75%
Active Covered Call
5.46%
MRNY YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF 532.03% 1.00%
Active Foreign Fixed Income
1.36%
GGOV iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF 5.33% 0.39%
Active High Yield Bond
1.28%
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF 3.44% 0.52%
Active Muni Bond
1.22%
PUSH PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF 2.48% 0.15%
Active U.S. Fixed Income
1.16%
PFIX Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF 15.99% 0.50%
Active Core Bond
-0.02%
USDX SGI Enhanced Core ETF 5.46% 1.05%
As of November 9, 2026 MutualFunds.com logo

Active Dividend (YTD Total Return: +12.84%)

Active Dividend leads for a third week despite slipping to +12.84% from +15.11%. Its lead grew past five points, so watch tech exposure.

Cambria Micro And SmallCap Shareholder Yield ETF (MYLD), up 25.06%, stays first as small caps fell less than the Nasdaq. Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD), up 23.89%, is second, and Freedom Day Dividend ETF (MBOX), up 21.85%, enters at third. Shareholder yield is one style among many in our list of dividend funds and ETFs.

Active EM Equity (YTD Total Return: +7.54%)

Active EM Equity stays second but falls to +7.54% from +10.18%. Check each fund’s Korea weight.

The KOSPI, South Korea’s main stock index, lost 11.7% as foreigners sold chipmakers over possible U.S. limits on AI data centers. Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ), up 37.40%, still leads. First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM), up 25.83%, and OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM), up 18.02%, follow. Korea weights vary widely, so compare funds across emerging markets equity, emerging Europe, and emerging Asia-Pacific funds and ETFs.

Active International Equity (YTD Total Return: +7.32%)

Active International Equity holds third at +7.32%, down from +9.10%, and now trails EM by just 0.22 points.

GMO International Value ETF (GMOI), up 19.33%, stays first. Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF (RAYJ), up 18.31%, enters at second, and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL), up 17.54%, is third. Japan, Europe and value specialists all appear in our list of international equity funds and ETFs.

Active Alts (YTD Total Return: +6.14%)

Active Alts climbs to fourth at +6.14% from +7.82%, passing U.S. equity. Know which commodity drives a fund.

Oil fell over 12% on hopes of an end to the U.S.-Iran war, while gold rose about 5%. Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY), up 60.71%, still leads. VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT), up 50.01%, and iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT), up 44.45%, follow. Oil, gold and hedged strategies sit side by side among diversified alternatives funds and ETFs.

Active U.S. Equity (YTD Total Return: +6.09%)

Active U.S. Equity drops to fifth at +6.09% from +8.77%, the steepest fall of any category. The Nasdaq entered a correction, so check AI and chip exposure.

ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG), up 56.89%, keeps first. VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS), up 33.28%, lost over 17 points as chip stocks fell about 12%. Alpha Architect US Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL), up 29.93%, held up better. If you want less AI risk, weigh U.S. growth equity and U.S. value equity funds and ETFs.

Active Covered Call (YTD Total Return: +5.46%)

Active Covered Call stays sixth, down to +5.46% from +6.76%. Watch the stocks under the options.

YieldMax MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF (MRNY), up 532.03%, climbed again. YieldMax AMD Option Income Strategy ETF (AMDY), up 75.28%, and YieldMax Target 12 Semiconductor Option Income ETF (SOXY), up 28.34%, fell in the chip rout. Before chasing a big payout, compare single-stock funds with the wider list of high-yield dividend income funds and ETFs.

Active Foreign Fixed Income (YTD Total Return: +1.36%)

Active Foreign Fixed Income stays the top bond category, up to +1.36% from +1.02%. The dollar fell after the midterms, so check currency hedging.

iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF (GGOV), up 5.33%, yields near 2.9%. WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund (CEW), up 3.70%, is second. Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY), up 2.94%, yields near 8.3%, income that can cushion price swings. Hedged and unhedged choices are both listed under international bond funds and ETFs.

Active High Yield Bond (YTD Total Return: +1.28%)

Active High Yield Bond holds eighth, up to +1.28% from +0.83%. Only 0.34 points split the top three, so income can decide.

iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH), up 3.44%, yields near 6.5%. Pacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF (FLRT), up 3.41%, yields about 6.7%, and PIMCO Senior Loan Active ETF (LONZ), up 3.10%, yields 5.3%. Both hold floating-rate loans, which pay more if the Fed hikes. Weigh payouts against credit risk in our list of high-yield bond funds and ETFs.

Active Muni Bond (YTD Total Return: +1.22%)

Active Muni Bond climbs to ninth at +1.22% from +0.41%, the biggest gain of any category. Short maturities still lead.

PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF (PUSH), up 2.48%, takes first with a yield near 3.2%. Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF (GUMI), up 2.36%, yields about 2.4%, and iShares Intermediate Muni Income Active ETF (INMU), up 2.35%, is third. Tax-free income is worth more in top brackets. Tax-equivalent yields differ by maturity, so browse all municipal bond funds and ETFs.

Active U.S. Fixed Income (YTD Total Return: +1.16%)

Active U.S. Fixed Income rises to +1.16% from +0.82% but slips to tenth. Option-based funds lead.

Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX), up 15.99%, eased as Treasury yields dipped after the midterms. SoFi Enhanced Yield ETF (THTA), up 12.29%, pays a 10% distribution rate, but its 3% SEC yield shows most comes from options. Calamos Convertible Equity Alternative ETF (CVRT), up 8.25%, is third. For plain bond exposure without options, see corporate bond and government bond funds and ETFs.

Active Core Bond (YTD Total Return: -0.02%)

Active Core Bond stays last but nearly breaks even at -0.02%, from -0.44%. Short, fixed-maturity funds lead.

SGI Enhanced Core ETF (USDX), up 5.46%, yields near 6.7%. State Street My2026 Corporate Bond ETF (MYCF), up 3.40%, and State Street My2027 Corporate Bond ETF (MYCG), up 2.94%, follow. A steadier core can start with investment-grade corporate bond and government bond funds and ETFs.

Categories to Watch

Dividend funds have led for three weeks, and value held up best. October payrolls nearly tripled forecasts, and markets now price a December 9 Fed hike as likely, which favors floating-rate and short-maturity bonds.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Sign up for Advisor Access

Receive email updates about best performers, news, CE accredited webcasts and more.

Popular Articles

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