ACEI vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACEI (Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACEI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Innovator, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. ACEI is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ACEI charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

ACEI vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACEI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACEI achieves a 5.08% return, which is significantly lower than QYLD's 7.88% return.

ACEI

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 5.80%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QYLD

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 9.97%
• 1Y: 23.93%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACEI vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ACEI Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF	5.08%	0.81%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.88%	8.01%

Correlation

The correlation between ACEI and QYLD is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2025	0.44

Return for Risk

ACEI vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 88
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACEI vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACEI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACEI	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.59	+0.07

Drawdowns

ACEI vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACEI drawdown since its inception was -5.77%, smaller than the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACEI and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACEI	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.77%	-24.75%	+18.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.97%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.06%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.86%	-3.84%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.85%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ACEI	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.85%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.12%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	8.58%	+4.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.30%	14.70%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.30%	15.49%	-2.19%

ACEI vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACEI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACEI vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

ACEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.97%, less than QYLD's 11.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACEI Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF	6.97%	2.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.46%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACEI and QYLD in my portfolio?

ACEI and QYLD have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ACEI or QYLD?

On fees, QYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACEI or QYLD?

QYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ACEI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACEI or QYLD?

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.46%, compared with 6.97% for ACEI.

What is the main difference between ACEI and QYLD?

ACEI is categorized as Derivative Income, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ACEI and 0.60% for QYLD.