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What Is the CEFZ ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs

Updated August 16, 2026 · First published August 16, 2026

The RiverNorth Active Income ETF, ticker CEFZ, seeks income and long-term capital growth by exploiting the gap between the market price and net asset value of closed-end funds. It is an actively managed product, so investors should review its distribution history, management fee and underlying fund risks together.

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What Is the RiverNorth Active Income ETF?

The CEFZ ETF does not track a specific benchmark index. Instead, it allocates actively across closed-end funds and various exchange-traded funds. It seeks income and long-term capital growth by weighing the gap between market price and net asset value, along with conditions in the equity and bond markets.

It suits investors who understand active income management and the volatility that comes from shifting closed-end fund discounts, rather than those who simply want exposure to a single index.

This is an actively managed ETF run by RiverNorth.

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How Does the RiverNorth Active Income ETF Invest?

ItemDetails
BenchmarkNot dependent on a specific index
Management styleActive management
Rebalancing approachCombination of quantitative and qualitative judgment
Distribution frequencyHas a distribution history (irregular frequency; do not assume a fixed schedule)
Expense ratio2.82%

The product is managed by analyzing the gap between the market price and net asset value of closed-end funds traded on exchanges, and by combining exchange-traded funds that invest in stocks and bonds. Because it uses both quantitative checks and qualitative judgment, it differs in character from index-tracking products whose holdings are fixed.

  • Reflects changes in closed-end fund discounts and premiums in its management decisions
  • Actively allocates across equity-related and bond-related income assets
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RiverNorth Active Income ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)

Assets under management (AUM) are $41.1M, and the Expense Ratio is 2.82% per year.

Unlike single-index products with fixed holdings and weights, the CEFZ ETF may reflect management decisions that change with market conditions. It is therefore important to look not only at trading liquidity but also at changes in underlying fund discounts and the cost structure.

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RiverNorth Active Income ETF Performance and Trends

1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
Dividend Yield 10.29%
Annual Dividend (TTM) $0.81
1Y Return -3.8%
Next Ex-Dividend Date 10/29/2026
52-Week Price Range
$8
Low $8 High $9
vs. low +3.98% vs. high -9.52%

Performance trends can be affected by changes in closed-end fund discounts and premiums, the direction of the stock and bond markets, and interest rate conditions. Because the product is actively managed, the composition of its holdings and management decisions have a large effect on results, and its movements may diverge from a single index.

When assessing fund flows, do not look only at the distribution history. You should also check the gap between market price and net asset value, trading liquidity, and the costs and asset composition of the underlying funds. If the discount on an underlying asset changes, the product's volatility and the interest of market participants may change as well.

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RiverNorth Active Income ETF Strengths and Weaknesses

The product is defined by active income allocation and the use of closed-end fund discounts, but underlying fund costs, market price gaps and interest rate sensitivity are factors that must be managed alongside them.

💪 Key Strengths

Active asset allocation
Closed-end funds and various income assets can be combined to fit market conditions.
Use of discount changes
The gap between the market price and net asset value of underlying funds is reflected in management decisions.
Mix of asset classes
Using equity-related and bond-related assets together can diversify the sources of income.

⚠️ Points to Watch

Market price gap
The market prices of the ETF and its underlying funds can differ from net asset value.
Interest rate and credit sensitivity
The value of bonds, preferred stocks, convertible securities and similar holdings can be affected by interest rates and issuer conditions.
Underlying fund costs
Fees and expenses incurred at the underlying funds can add to the overall cost of investing.
Changing distribution mix
Distributions can consist of different components, such as dividend income, capital gains and return of capital.
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RiverNorth Active Income ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products

In a comparison of similar income products, the FPEI ETF offers an approach centered on preferred stocks and income securities, the INCM ETF offers broad income asset allocation, and the YLD ETF offers active management centered on high-yield bonds. The MDIV ETF combines several income asset classes, and the IYLD ETF offers multi-asset income exposure. Because the CEFZ ETF is built around the gap between the market price and net asset value of closed-end funds, it is appropriate to use costs, asset class composition and sensitivity to discount changes as the basis for comparison.

Peer Comparison ETFs
TickerNamePriceChangeAUMTotal Expense RatioDividend Yield1Y
INCMINCMFranklin Income Focus ETF$29.03-0.2%$2.0B0.38%5.27%+4.8%
FPEIFPEIFirst Trust Institutional Preferred Securities and Income ETF$18.65-0.1%$1.9B0.85%6.04%-3.8%
YLDYLDPrincipal Active High Yield ETF$18.20-0.6%$638.4M0.39%7.7%-5.1%
MDIVMDIVMulti-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund$16.14+0.1%$417.5M0.71%7.2%+2.0%
IYLDIYLDiShares Morningstar Multi-Asset Income ETF$21.63-0.4%$132.6M0.50%4.82%+1.0%
Top Holdings
TickerNameWeightPriceChangeMarket CapP/EDividend Yield
PSUSPSUSPershing Square USA Ltd0.17%$36.64-0.3%$3.7B--
MYMKMYMKState Street My2031 Municipal Bond ETF0.09%$24.76-0.1%$0.0M-2.6%
PSPSPershing Square Inc0.15%$44.20-14.9%$17.7B-0.58%
BFLXBFLXiShares Flexible Equity Active ETF0.13%$24.96-0.3%$0.0M--
SABASABASaba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund II0.16%$7.62-1.4%$203.8M8.58.98%
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RiverNorth Active Income ETF Investor Checkpoints

When examining the CEFZ ETF, do not judge its income characteristics from the distribution history alone. Also check the composition of the underlying funds, the gap between market price and net asset value, trading liquidity and the cost structure. The effect of active management decisions on results is also worth reviewing.

CheckpointWhat to checkCurrent status
💵 Expense ratioReview the cost burden, including underlying fund costsNeeds checking
💧 Trading liquidityReview the gap between market price and net asset value, and bid-ask spreadsNeeds checking
📊 Asset compositionReview changes in closed-end fund and asset class exposureActively managed
💱 Nature of distributionsReview the composition and sustainability of distributionsDo not assume a fixed schedule

The CEFZ ETF can be affected by the discount and premium movements of closed-end funds, interest rate and credit conditions, and the volatility of underlying assets. The possibility that the ETF's market price differs from net asset value, along with the additional costs at the underlying funds, can also raise the risk of loss.

The RiverNorth Active Income ETF is an actively managed product that seeks to use price gaps between income assets and closed-end funds rather than simply tracking a specific index. The CEFZ ETF should be considered on the basis of an understanding of its distribution history, cost structure, liquidity and changes in underlying fund discounts.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.

This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.

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