ACII vs VXUS

ACII vs VXUS

Which is better, ACII or VXUS?

Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns (1Y): VXUS

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricACIIVXUS
Expense Ratio0.79%0.05%Best
AUM$130M$158.1B
Dividend Yield7.60%2.51%
Holdings68,747
YTD Return+7.51%+14.94%Best
1Y Return+9.77%+21.99%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.89%
5Y Return (annualized)-+9.48%
Volatility (annualized)3.8%Best13.9%
Fund FamilyInnovator ETFs TrustVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleOption WritingLarge Cap Blend
InceptionSep 24, 2025Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.

ACII vs VXUS growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.

ACII vs VXUS Performance

Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACII) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACII returned +9.77% while VXUS returned +21.99%. Year to date, ACII is up 7.51% versus a gain of 14.94% for VXUS.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 3.8% for ACII. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ACII charges 0.79% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $5 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACII currently yields 7.60% against 2.51% for VXUS.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of ACII and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

ACIIVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ACII or VXUS?

ACII has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, ACII or VXUS?

Over the past year ACII returned +9.77% vs +21.99% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, ACII or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 3.8% for ACII.

Should I hold both ACII and VXUS?

ACII and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, ACII or VXUS?

ACII yields 7.60% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so ACII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than ACII?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.