YieldMax Group D 2026 Dividend Schedule: Full Monthly Ex-Date & Pay Date Calendar
This is the final installment in my YieldMax group-by-group dividend schedule series: Group D. In this post, I’ve compiled the complete 2026 monthly ex-dividend dates, record dates, and pay dates for all YieldMax Group D ETFs.
Group D pays dividends during the fourth week of each month — the last group in the YieldMax cycle. While it pays last, it contains noteworthy tickers like Microsoft (MSFO), Palantir (PLTY), and the S&P 500 covered call (CSPY), attracting steady interest from investors who value stability alongside income.
What Is YieldMax Group D?
YieldMax ETFs are a series of synthetic covered call strategy ETFs managed by Tidal Financial Group. They sell call options on underlying assets and distribute the premium as monthly dividends.
Group D handles the final dividend cycle of each month. Ex-dates typically fall on the fourth Thursday, with pay dates arriving the following Monday or Tuesday. In a dividend relay strategy, Group D closes out each month’s income stream.
A defining characteristic of Group D is its heavy weighting toward blue-chip and index-based assets. With Microsoft, Costco, and the S&P 500 as underlying holdings, yields tend to be lower than other groups, but NAV drawdowns are also more contained.
Group D ETFs at a Glance
| # | Ticker | Underlying | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MSFO | MSFT | Microsoft Covered Call |
| 2 | PLTY | PLTR | Palantir Covered Call |
| 3 | ULTY | Multiple | Ultra Option Income ETF |
| 4 | CSPY | SPY | S&P 500 Covered Call |
| 5 | COST | COST | Costco Covered Call |
| 6 | LFGY | Multiple | Large-Cap Growth Option Income |
| 7 | UBER | UBER | Uber Covered Call |
| 8 | SMCY | Multiple | Small-Cap Option Income |
Compared to other groups, Group D has a higher proportion of index-based ETFs and blue-chip underlying assets. CSPY (S&P 500) and COST (Costco) prioritize stability, making this group well-suited for conservative income investors.
2026 Group D Monthly Dividend Calendar
Below is the full 12-month schedule. Group D follows a fourth-Thursday ex-date pattern.
| Month | Ex-Date | Record Date | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/23 (Thu) | 1/23 (Thu) | 1/27 (Mon) |
| February | 2/26 (Thu) | 2/26 (Thu) | 3/2 (Mon) |
| March | 3/26 (Thu) | 3/26 (Thu) | 3/30 (Mon) |
| April | 4/24 (Thu) | 4/24 (Thu) | 4/28 (Mon) |
| May | 5/22 (Thu) | 5/22 (Thu) | 5/27 (Mon) |
| June | 6/25 (Thu) | 6/25 (Thu) | 6/29 (Mon) |
| July | 7/24 (Thu) | 7/24 (Thu) | 7/28 (Mon) |
| August | 8/27 (Thu) | 8/27 (Thu) | 8/31 (Mon) |
| September | 9/25 (Thu) | 9/25 (Thu) | 9/29 (Mon) |
| October | 10/23 (Thu) | 10/23 (Thu) | 10/27 (Mon) |
| November | 11/25 (Thu) | 11/25 (Thu) | 11/30 (Mon) |
| December | 12/24 (Thu) | 12/24 (Thu) | 12/29 (Mon) |
Note: The May pay date shifts to 5/27 (Mon) due to Memorial Day (5/25). The Thanksgiving week in November may see minor schedule adjustments. December’s ex-date falls on Christmas Eve (12/24), which could be moved forward by 1~2 days in practice. Always verify with official filings.
When Do I Need to Buy to Receive the Dividend?
Same as other groups: buy and hold by market close on the business day before the ex-dividend date.
For example, if the April ex-date is April 24 (Thursday), purchase by April 23 (Wednesday) before market close. T+1 settlement means your shares will be settled by the ex-date.
Monthly Purchase Deadlines
| Month | Ex-Date | Last Day to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/23 (Thu) | 1/22 (Wed) |
| February | 2/26 (Thu) | 2/25 (Wed) |
| March | 3/26 (Thu) | 3/25 (Wed) |
| April | 4/24 (Thu) | 4/23 (Wed) |
| May | 5/22 (Thu) | 5/21 (Wed) |
| June | 6/25 (Thu) | 6/24 (Wed) |
| July | 7/24 (Thu) | 7/23 (Wed) |
| August | 8/27 (Thu) | 8/26 (Wed) |
| September | 9/25 (Thu) | 9/24 (Wed) |
| October | 10/23 (Thu) | 10/22 (Wed) |
| November | 11/25 (Thu) | 11/24 (Wed) |
| December | 12/24 (Thu) | 12/23 (Wed) |
Group D ETF Investment Profiles
High Growth, High Volatility
- PLTY (Palantir): Offers the highest expected yields in Group D. Palantir is an AI-driven data analytics company that has seen enormous stock price swings in recent years. Valuation concerns persist, so NAV risk is real.
- UBER (Uber): The global mobility platform has improved profitability, maintaining moderate volatility. Yields are in the upper range for Group D.
Blue-Chip Stability
- MSFO (Microsoft): The flagship of Group D. Microsoft’s AAA credit rating and diversified revenue streams (Azure, Office 365, AI Copilot) mean lower volatility and lower yields, but also more resilient NAV. Ideal for long-term, conservative income.
- COST (Costco): A consumer staples stalwart. Very low volatility translates to the lowest yields in Group D, but the underlying asset is rock-solid.
Index and Multi-Asset
- CSPY (S&P 500): A covered call ETF on the S&P 500 index itself. No single-stock risk, just broad market exposure. Lowest yields but maximum stability.
- ULTY (Ultra Option Income): Runs aggressive option strategies across multiple underlying assets. Higher yields but more NAV volatility than other index-based options.
- LFGY (Large-Cap Growth): Based on a basket of large-cap growth stocks. More volatile than CSPY with correspondingly higher yields.
- SMCY (Small-Cap): Built on a small-cap basket. Small-cap volatility generates decent premiums, but NAV can drop sharply in risk-off environments.
Why Are Group D Yields Generally Lower?
The answer comes down to implied volatility of the underlying assets.
In a covered call strategy, option premiums are proportional to implied volatility. Higher volatility means option buyers pay more, and those premiums become your dividends.
Group D’s flagship holdings — Microsoft, Costco, the S&P 500 — are inherently low-volatility assets compared to Tesla (Group A) or MicroStrategy (Group B). This structural difference means smaller premiums and lower distributions.
But this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Lower yields come with more limited NAV erosion. On a total return basis (dividends plus capital gains/losses), Group D can actually outperform in bear markets when high-volatility groups see their NAV cratered. Group D acts as a defensive anchor when others are falling apart.
All Groups: April 2026 Schedule Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side look at all four groups for April:
| Group | Ex-Date | Pay Date | Key Tickers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 4/3 (Thu) | 4/7 (Mon) | TSLY, CONY, APLY |
| Group B | 4/10 (Thu) | 4/14 (Mon) | NVDY, MSTY, GOOGY |
| Group C | 4/17 (Thu) | 4/21 (Mon) | YMAX, YMAG, etc. |
| Group D | 4/24 (Thu) | 4/28 (Mon) | MSFO, PLTY, CSPY |
Notice how a different group’s ex-date falls on each Thursday in April. By investing across all four groups, you can create a structure that delivers dividends four times a month — effectively weekly income.
Group D’s Role in the Dividend Relay
Group D serves as the final leg of the dividend relay. Receiving dividends in the last week of the month can be useful for covering end-of-month expenses or building up capital for the following month’s investments.
| Week | Dividend Group | Key Tickers |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Group A | TSLY, CONY, APLY |
| Week 2 | Group B | NVDY, MSTY, GOOGY |
| Week 3 | Group C | YMAX, YMAG, etc. |
| Week 4 | Group D | MSFO, PLTY, CSPY |
Another advantage is stability. By placing blue-chip and index-based ETFs like MSFO and CSPY in the fourth week, you create a portfolio anchor that dampens overall volatility. Pairing high-yield Groups A and B with stable Group D can help you balance yield against risk.
Tax Considerations and Risks
U.S. Withholding Tax
YieldMax ETF dividends are subject to U.S. withholding tax at rates of 15~30% depending on your tax treaty status. U.S. residents owe ordinary income tax.
NAV Erosion
Group D experiences less NAV erosion than other groups on average, but the structural limitations of covered call ETFs still apply. Upside is capped during rallies, and you’re exposed to downside during selloffs. PLTY (Palantir) is the most volatile ticker in Group D and deserves careful position sizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to invest only in Group D?
You can, but dividend income will be limited to once a month (fourth week). If you want weekly income, diversify across all four groups. Within Group D alone, consider combining different profiles like MSFO (stable) and PLTY (high-yield) to balance risk.
MSFO or CSPY — which should I pick?
MSFO is a concentrated bet on Microsoft’s AI and cloud growth. CSPY is broadly diversified across 500 companies with no single-stock risk. If you already hold individual stock ETFs in other groups, CSPY adds portfolio diversification.
Does the December dividend affect year-end taxes?
December dividends count as that year’s taxable income. If your annual dividend income is approaching tax thresholds, you might consider selling some positions before the December ex-date (12/24) to manage your tax exposure.
Monthly Deep-Dive Articles
- April Group D Dividend Detailed Analysis
- May detailed analysis (coming soon)
- June detailed analysis (coming soon)
2026 Annual Calendars for Other Groups
Final Thoughts
I’ve laid out the complete 2026 YieldMax Group D dividend schedule. Group D pays during the fourth week and features stable blue-chip assets like Microsoft, Costco, and the S&P 500, making it the most conservative option among YieldMax groups.
In the dividend relay strategy, Group D serves as the closing anchor of each month’s income. By combining high-yield Groups A and B with stable Group D, you can pursue both strong yields and portfolio resilience.
This article is updated as schedules change or new information becomes available. For the most accurate decisions, always verify with the official YieldMax website and your brokerage’s filings.
When does YieldMax Group D pay dividends each month?
Group D pays dividends during the fourth week of each month. It's the last dividend cycle among the A, B, C, and D groups.
Why are Group D yields generally lower than other groups?
Group D's underlying assets (Microsoft, JPMorgan, Costco, etc.) are blue-chip large-caps with relatively low volatility. Lower volatility means smaller option premiums and thus lower dividend payouts.
Can the Group D dividend schedule change?
Yes, ex-dividend and pay dates may shift by 1~2 days due to U.S. holidays or market conditions. Always verify with official filings before making investment decisions.