AIPI vs. CEFD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIPI (REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF) and CEFD (ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by REX, while CEFD is a fund fund tracking the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (150%). AIPI is actively managed, while CEFD is passively managed. Over the past year, AIPI returned 29.63% vs 18.31% for CEFD. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIPI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for CEFD.

Performance

AIPI vs. CEFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIPI achieves a 10.68% return, which is significantly higher than CEFD's 6.26% return.

AIPI

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 8.89%
• YTD: 10.68%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 29.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CEFD

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 6.26%
• 6M: 6.56%
• 1Y: 18.31%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

AIPI vs. CEFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	10.68%	16.38%	15.36%
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	6.26%	14.15%	10.49%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPI and CEFD is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2024	0.64

The correlation between AIPI and CEFD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AIPI vs. CEFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIPI

AIPI Risk / Return Rank: 47
AIPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AIPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
AIPI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AIPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
AIPI Martin Ratio Rank: 40

CEFD

CEFD Risk / Return Rank: 39
CEFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
CEFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
CEFD Omega Ratio Rank: 45
CEFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
CEFD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

AIPI vs. CEFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). 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.

	AIPI	CEFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.43	+0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.03	+0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.29	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	1.47	+0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.42	6.84	-0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIPI vs. CEFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the CEFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIPI and CEFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIPI	CEFD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.43	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.52	+0.52

Drawdowns

AIPI vs. CEFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPI drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum CEFD drawdown of -36.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIPI and CEFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIPI	CEFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-36.95%	+11.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.40%	-12.51%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-1.14%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.66%	-11.72%	+7.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.63%	2.68%	+1.95%

Volatility

AIPI vs. CEFD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF (AIPI) is 2.89%, while ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that AIPI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CEFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIPI	CEFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	4.05%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.96%	11.27%	+1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.94%	12.86%	+3.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.39%	17.93%	+3.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.39%	17.31%	+4.08%

AIPI vs. CEFD - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIPI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than CEFD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIPI vs. CEFD - Dividend Comparison

AIPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.81%, more than CEFD's 14.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AIPI REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF	34.81%	37.84%	18.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	14.58%	14.88%	13.90%	14.76%	16.56%	10.31%	5.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIPI and CEFD in my portfolio?

AIPI and CEFD have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIPI or CEFD?

CEFD has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to AIPI (2.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIPI dropped -25.25% vs CEFD's -36.95%.

Which ETF is better, AIPI or CEFD?

On 1-year performance, AIPI leads with 29.63% vs 18.31% for CEFD. On fees, AIPI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, AIPI has been the lower-risk option at 2.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIPI or CEFD?

Over the 1-year period, AIPI has performed better with a 29.63% return vs 18.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIPI or CEFD?

AIPI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for CEFD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIPI or CEFD?

AIPI has the higher dividend yield at 34.81%, compared with 14.58% for CEFD.

What is the main difference between AIPI and CEFD?

They also come from different issuers: REX and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for AIPI and 0.95% for CEFD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIPI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.43), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.