CAIQ vs VXUS
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CAIQ or VXUS?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.31% | 2.38% |
| Holdings | 12 | 9,293 |
| YTD Return | +6.60% | +9.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.12% | +13.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.04% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2025 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
CAIQ 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.
CAIQ vs VXUS Performance
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAIQ returned +10.12% while VXUS returned +13.63%. Year to date, CAIQ is up 6.60% versus a gain of 9.53% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 15.2% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAIQ charges 0.74% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $5 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAIQ currently yields 15.31% against 2.38% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAIQ and 8,463 in VXUS, totalling 79.9% and 89.2% 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 8,463 in VXUS, against full books of 12 and 9,293.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAIQ and VXUS 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 VXUS?
CAIQ has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAIQ or VXUS?
Over the past year CAIQ returned +10.12% vs +13.63% 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, CAIQ or VXUS?
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS.
Should I hold both CAIQ and VXUS?
CAIQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 VXUS?
CAIQ yields 15.31% while VXUS yields 2.38%, so CAIQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CAIQ?
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.