CAIQ vs VTI
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CAIQ or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y.
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
| Metric | CAIQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.31% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | +7.59% | +12.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.15% | +12.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 13.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
CAIQ vs VTI 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.
CAIQ vs VTI Performance
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAIQ returned +11.15% while VTI returned +12.74%. Year to date, CAIQ is up 7.59% versus a gain of 12.23% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 13.2% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAIQ charges 0.74% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $3 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAIQ currently yields 15.31% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAIQ and 3,464 in VTI, totalling 79.9% and 97.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in CAIQ and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 12 and 3,542.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAIQ and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CAIQ or VTI?
CAIQ has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAIQ or VTI?
Over the past year CAIQ returned +11.15% vs +12.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAIQ or VTI?
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 13.2% for VTI.
Should I hold both CAIQ and VTI?
CAIQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, CAIQ or VTI?
CAIQ yields 15.31% while VTI yields 1.06%, so CAIQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CAIQ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.