Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF

CAIQ

Valor de mercado US$ 297 mi

A niche corner of the derivatives world is colliding with the universe of exchange-traded funds. So-called autocallable ETFs have emerged as a fast-growing area within the booming ETF industry, where investors are increasingly gravitating toward more complicated, actively managed products, some of which feature derivatives like options and swaps.

Tony Dong is the founder of ETF Portfolio Blueprint.

Bond ETFs are drawing record inflows as geopolitical tensions and high rates push investors toward fixed income.

Considering the macroeconomic environment we currently find ourselves in, it's no surprise that many have looked to alternative strategies to potentially help augment the income or total return of their portfolio. This includes autocallable ETFs, which can provide a structured, streamlined means to tap into income through autocallable yield notes.

The Q2 Market Outlook Symposium, Defining the Quarter Ahead, held on April 30, 2026, brought together industry leaders to dissect the evolving macroeconomic landscape and highlight sophisticated strategies for the modern portfolio.

While the ETF industry is sometimes scrutinized for packaging niche investments into a retail wrapper, ETFs have historically been one of the key ways to democratize access to legitimate “hard-to-reach” investment strategies. The ETF wrapper has made many of these exposures more convenient to buy and easier to incorporate into portfolios.

The new year may be in full swing, but many advisors and investors are wondering if the winners of 2025 are going to keep pace in 2026. One investment strategy that emerged as a particular victor in 2025 was the autocallable income ETF.

Demand from advisors and investors alike for equity income strategies isn't necessarily a new phenomenon. These strategies have long filled an important niche across a range of portfolio needs.

The Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) offers high monthly income via a structured derivatives strategy linked to the Nasdaq-100 Volatility Advantage Autocallable Index. CAIQ and CAIE share similar structures, but CAIE's lower principal and coupon barriers (60% vs. CAIQ's 70%) provide greater downside protection and may be more appealing. Both CAIQ and CAIE are rated Buy for alternative income exposure, but investors should monitor risks tied to index thresholds and limited performance history.

With traditional yield susceptible to rate cuts and equities volatile, many investors seek alternative sources for stable, higher, predictable income. On November 20, 2025, Calamos Investments launched the Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) to address this need.