Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) belongs to the Defined Outcome category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with CPST. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to CPST
CPST charges 0.69% annually. There are 41 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.25%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus July Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | CPST vs JULB | |
| Aptus October Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | CPST vs OCTB | |
| Aptus April Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | CPST vs APRB | |
| Aptus January Buffer ETF | 0.25% | — | Oct 2025 | CPST vs JANB | |
| Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF | 0.48% | — | Apr 2024 | CPST vs FBUF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to CPST
CPST has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 95. There are 33 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 99.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 99 | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 98 | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | CPST vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 98 | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs MMAX | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | 98 | — | Apr 2025 | CPST vs ZAPR | |
| Innovator U.S. Equity Accelerated 9 Buffer ETF - A... | 98 | 134.85M | Mar 2021 | CPST vs XBAP |
Top Performing CPST Alternatives (YTD)
CPST is at 3.20% YTD. There are 214 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 16.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage Shares 2x Capped Accelerated NVDA Monthly... | 16.35% | — | Aug 2025 | CPST vs NVDO | |
| Innovator U.S. Small Cap Power Buffer ETF - Februa... | 13.34% | — | Jan 2025 | CPST vs KFEB | |
| Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF - April | 12.71% | 214.51M | Mar 2020 | CPST vs KAPR | |
| FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March | 12.33% | 568.10M | Mar 2021 | CPST vs QMAR | |
| ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dynamic Daily Buffer ETF | 12.15% | 2.84M | Jun 2025 | CPST vs QB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to CPST
CPST has 2.04% 1-year volatility. There are 20 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.16%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.16% | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs PMAP | |
| FT Vest U.S. Equity Max Buffer ETF - April | 1.24% | — | Apr 2025 | CPST vs APXM | |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - May | 1.31% | — | Apr 2025 | CPST vs PMMY | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | 1.34% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | CPST vs CPSP | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | 1.42% | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs MMAX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to CPST
CPST has a 1-year max drawdown of -1.42%. There are 33 ETFs in the Defined Outcome category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | -0.35% | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs PMAP | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ap... | -0.37% | 19.60M | Apr 2025 | CPST vs CPSP | |
| Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr Apr... | -0.40% | — | Apr 2025 | CPST vs ZAPR | |
| iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Mar ETF | -0.46% | — | Mar 2025 | CPST vs MMAX | |
| Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - Ma... | -0.49% | 56.60M | May 2024 | CPST vs CPSM |
Other ETFs from Calamos
The 10 most viewed Calamos ETFs shown here include CAIE, CVRT, CAIQ and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $269M.
Often Compared With CPST
Investors most often compare CPST with PMJA, PBQQ, CBOJ. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare CPST with Any Fund or Stock
Compare CPST with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair CPST with funds that move differently
Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to CPST.
Explore CPST Diversifiers