ACII vs VYM

ACII vs VYM

Which is better, ACII or VYM?

Option Writing against Large Cap Value.

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

Lower Fees: VYMHigher Returns (1Y): VYM

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

MetricACIIVYM
Expense Ratio0.79%0.04%Best
AUM$130M$81.6B
Dividend Yield7.60%2.22%
Holdings6613
YTD Return+7.56%+11.47%Best
1Y Return+9.81%+15.94%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+18.03%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.35%
Volatility (annualized)3.8%Best10.2%
Fund FamilyInnovator ETFs TrustVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleOption WritingLarge Cap Value
InceptionSep 24, 2025Nov 10, 2006

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

ACII vs VYM 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 VYM Performance

Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACII) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACII returned +9.81% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, ACII is up 7.56% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.2% 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ACII charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACII currently yields 7.60% against 2.22% for VYM.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

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

ACIIVYM

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ACII or VYM?

ACII has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, ACII or VYM?

Over the past year ACII returned +9.81% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, ACII or VYM?

VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.2% annualized versus 3.8% for ACII.

Should I hold both ACII and VYM?

ACII and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 VYM?

ACII yields 7.60% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ACII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VYM better than ACII?

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