CAIQ vs VYM
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CAIQ or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.31% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 12 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +3.79% | +11.84%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.22% | +16.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 12.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
CAIQ 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.
CAIQ vs VYM Performance
Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAIQ returned +7.22% while VYM returned +16.77%. Year to date, CAIQ is up 3.79% versus a gain of 11.84% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 12.5% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAIQ charges 0.74% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $4 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAIQ currently yields 15.31% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAIQ and 602 in VYM, totalling 79.9% and 100.0% 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 602 in VYM, against full books of 12 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAIQ and VYM 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 VYM?
CAIQ has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAIQ or VYM?
Over the past year CAIQ returned +7.22% vs +16.77% 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, CAIQ or VYM?
CAIQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 12.5% for VYM.
Should I hold both CAIQ and VYM?
CAIQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, 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 VYM?
CAIQ yields 15.31% while VYM yields 2.23%, so CAIQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CAIQ?
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.