ACII
Generally safe
Limited data
ETF Comparison
ACII vs VAIE: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF and VegaShares US Equity Autocallable Income ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Updated November 5, 2026
No track record yet. VAIE launched within the last six months.
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Price and total return
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Distribution Safety Score
An estimate of distribution reliability, not price or principal safety, a probability, or a guarantee. Score methodology.
VAIE
Unproven
Low confidence
Score snapshot as of . Method 1.11.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  ACII |  VAIE |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF | VegaShares US Equity Autocallable Income ETF |
| Issuer | Innovator ETFs | VegaShares |
| Last Close | $24.80 as of November 5, 2026 | $21.60 as of November 5, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | 10.06% | 17.09% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | 9.41% | 8.85% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | 77 | 50 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | 7.75% | — |
| Expense ratio | 0.79% | 0.74% |
| AUM | $184M | $68.4M |
| Distribution frequency | Monthly | Weekly |
| Underlying index | — | NYSE U.S. 500 Adaptive Vol Autocallable Index |
| Objective | — | Seeks weekly income by tracking a laddered autocallable index built on U.S. large-cap equities, using a full replication approach. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 09/24/2025 | 05/12/2026 |
| Beta | 0.239 | — |
| Last dividend | $0.20785 | $0.071 declared, pays 11/06/2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | 10/30/2026 | 11/05/2026 |
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
ACII has outpaced VAIE over the year to date, posting a 4.49% total return against -6.94%. ACII has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 7.5% against 21.3% for VAIE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | Since May 2026 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACII | 4.49% | 1.05% | 7.5% | -0.27 | -0.35 | -2.7% |
| VAIE | -6.94% | -6.94% | 21.3% | -0.89 | -1.05 | -12.1% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of November 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since May 2026” measures every fund from May 12, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the shared window since May 2026. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the shared window since May 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Bottom lineWe won't call this one: VAIE launched May 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional.
How the risk works
Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.
- Capped upside and premium dependence. VAIE generates income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.
Learn the mechanics: Return of capital, explained · NAV erosion, explained
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
ETFs180
Total AUM$38.5B
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Innovator ETFs specializes in structured outcome and income-focused exchange-traded funds, with a particular emphasis on buffer strategies and defined protection approaches designed to manage downside risk. This niche positioning targets investors seeking alternative strategies beyond traditional buy-and-hold approaches, with an emphasis on principal protection and income generation mechanisms.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on ACII.
ETFs7
Total AUM$79.0M
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
VegaShares specializes in options-based and thematic ETFs designed to generate income and capitalize on emerging trends. The issuer's lineup spans income-focused strategies, including covered call funds, alongside thematic offerings that target specific market segments and innovation themes. VegaShares serves investors seeking alternative approaches to traditional equity exposure, with a concentrated portfolio of strategically named funds addressing both income generation and sector-specific growth opportunities.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VAIE.
Quick verdict
ACII (Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF) and VAIE (VegaShares US Equity Autocallable Income ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VAIE's latest distribution annualizes to 17.09%, but it has paid 8.85% over the trailing 12 months (it has not paid for a full year yet). With VAIE's two yield figures this far apart, neither settles which fund pays more. Compare the distribution rate and trailing 12-month yield rows in the snapshot below.
VAIE is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.74% compared to 0.79%.
ACII has $184M in assets vs $68.4M for VAIE, but VAIE only launched May 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment at current distribution rates, ACII would pay about $1,006.00 a year (about $83.83 per monthly distribution), while VAIE would pay about $1,709.00 a year (about $32.87 per weekly distribution).
ACII yield10.06%
VAIE yield17.09%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, ACII would cost approximately $790 in fees vs $740 for VAIE (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
ACII ER0.79%
VAIE ER0.74%
Strategy & risk
ACII is an ETF built around a structured products strategy, while VAIE tracks NYSE U.S. 500 Adaptive Vol Autocallable Index with an options approach.
ACII beta0.239
VAIE beta—
Fund details
ACII is managed by Innovator ETFs (launched 09/24/2025) with $184M in assets. VAIE is managed by VegaShares (launched 05/12/2026) with $68.4M in assets.
ACII AUM$184M
VAIE AUM$68.4M
Frequently asked questions
What is the current distribution rate for ACII and VAIE?
ACII currently distributes 10.06%; VAIE's latest distribution annualizes to 17.09%, and it has paid 8.85% over the past 12 months, based on fund data updated November 2026. Because the two measures disagree for at least one fund, compare both rows in the snapshot and check the as-of date before relying on either figure.
Is ACII or VAIE better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VAIE's latest distribution annualizes to 17.09%, but it has paid 8.85% over the trailing 12 months (it has not paid for a full year yet). With VAIE's two yield figures this far apart, neither settles which fund pays more. Compare the distribution rate and trailing 12-month yield rows in the snapshot below. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between ACII and VAIE?
ACII (Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF) is an ETF built around a structured products strategy, while VAIE (VegaShares US Equity Autocallable Income ETF) tracks NYSE U.S. 500 Adaptive Vol Autocallable Index with an options approach. They are issued by Innovator ETFs and VegaShares respectively.
Can I hold both ACII and VAIE?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Is ACII or VAIE safer?
By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — ACII scores 77, VAIE scores 50, so ACII's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.
Which has lower fees, ACII or VAIE?
ACII has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VAIE charges 0.74%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in ACII vs VAIE generate?
At current distribution rates, $10,000 in ACII would pay about $1,006.00 a year (about $83.83 per monthly distribution). $10,000 in VAIE would pay about $1,709.00 a year (about $32.87 per weekly distribution).
Which has performed better historically, ACII or VAIE?
ACII has outpaced VAIE over the year to date, posting a 4.49% total return against -6.94%. ACII has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 7.5% against 21.3% for VAIE. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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ACII vs VAIE — at a glance
Generated November 1, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
ACII and VAIE are both equity ETFs that use autocallable structured products to generate income from U.S. equities, but they differ sharply in payout frequency, yield target, and distribution rate. The autocallable structure in both cases means the underlying notes can terminate early if the reference index hits a preset level, potentially limiting upside capture. VAIE's expense ratio of 0.74% is 5 basis points cheaper than ACII's 0.79%, though both are modest. Both funds are quite young; ACII was launched in 09/24/2025 and VAIE in 05/12/2026, so neither has a long track record. ACII's $184M in assets is larger than VAIE's $68.4M, suggesting greater institutional adoption so far.
Who each is best for
- ACII: Fits investors seeking a monthly income stream from structured equity exposure, comfortable accepting the tradeoffs of autocallable mechanics (early call risk, capped upside) in exchange for steady, predictable payouts.
- VAIE: Designed for investors who want frequent (weekly) distributions and are comfortable with a higher headline yield, a newer fund with limited history, and the mechanics of laddered autocallables linked to large-cap equities.
Key risks to know
- Autocallable termination risk: Both funds hold autocallables that can be called away early if the underlying index breaches an upper barrier. Once called, the fund may be forced to reinvest proceeds at potentially lower yields, capping upside and disrupting income expectations.
- NAV erosion at elevated yields: VAIE's 17.09% distribution rate and ACII's 10.06% distribution rate both substantially exceed typical equity dividend yields. The question of whether these payouts rely partly on return of capital or temporary derivative tail winds warrants monitoring of NAV trends over time.
- Newness and limited track record: ACII has been live since 09/24/2025 and VAIE since 05/12/2026, giving both only months of actual performance history. Autocallable ETFs are a young category, and real-world behavior during market stress or volatility regime shifts remains untested.
- Downside protection is not downside elimination: VAIE's strategy references downside protection, implying autocallables' structure offers some cushion below the strike. However, this protection is built into the autocallable coupon and comes at the cost of capped upside. Sharp declines in the underlying index can still result in losses.
- Derivative and options risk: Both funds use derivatives embedded in autocallable notes. VAIE explicitly layers options overlay on its large-cap equity sleeve. Changes in implied volatility can affect autocallable valuations and the sustainability of weekly payouts.
Bottom line
If you prioritize a stable monthly income stream, ACII's 10.06% distribution rate and monthly rhythm may appeal. If you prefer maximum weekly income, VAIE's 17.09% distribution rate and weekly cadence deliver more frequent payouts. Both rely on autocallable mechanics that cap upside and can terminate early—the embedded tradeoff between income frequency, yield level, and equity exposure is central to choosing between them. Past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.