ACEI vs FMAY
Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - May
Which is better, ACEI or FMAY?
FMAY has been ahead.
ACEI has a lower expense ratio. FMAY led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | ACEI | FMAY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $52M | $1.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.88% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 26 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +7.65% | +8.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.38% | +10.90%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.29% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.2% | 5.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -4.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,755 | $11,168Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2025 | May 15, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
ACEI vs FMAY 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 covers the 1.1 years both funds cover.
ACEI vs FMAY Performance
Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACEI) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and FT Vest US Equity Buffer ETF - May (FMAY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ACEI returned +9.38% while FMAY returned +10.90%. Year to date, ACEI is up 7.65% versus a gain of 8.03% for FMAY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACEI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.2% compared with 5.5% for FMAY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -9.3% for ACEI and -4.2% for FMAY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACEI charges 0.79% per year while FMAY charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $85 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACEI currently yields 11.88% against 0.00% for FMAY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ACEI and FMAY 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, ACEI or FMAY?
ACEI has an expense ratio of 0.79% while FMAY charges 0.85%. ACEI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACEI or FMAY?
Over the past year ACEI returned +9.38% vs +10.90% for FMAY, so FMAY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ACEI annualized +6.84% vs +10.56% for FMAY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACEI or FMAY?
ACEI has been the more volatile fund at 10.2% annualized versus 5.5% for FMAY. Worst drawdown: ACEI -9.3% vs FMAY -4.2%.
Should I hold both ACEI and FMAY?
ACEI and FMAY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, ACEI or FMAY?
ACEI yields 11.88% while FMAY yields 0.00%, so ACEI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FMAY better than ACEI?
ACEI has a lower expense ratio. FMAY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.