CAIE vs. CPSD

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

CAIE (Calamos Autocallable Income ETF) and CPSD (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - CAIE is a Derivative Income fund tracking the MerQube US Large Cap Vol Advantage Autocallable Index, while CPSD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Calamos. CAIE is passively managed, while CPSD is actively managed. Over the past year, CAIE returned 23.25% vs 8.06% for CPSD. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CAIE charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for CPSD.

Performance

CAIE vs. CPSD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Autocallable Income ETF (CAIE) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAIE achieves a 7.04% return, which is significantly higher than CPSD's 2.25% return.

CAIE

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 5.77%
• 1Y: 23.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPSD

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 2.25%
• 6M: 2.13%
• 1Y: 8.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CAIE vs. CPSD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CAIE Calamos Autocallable Income ETF	7.04%	15.12%
CPSD Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December	2.25%	5.67%

Correlation

The correlation between CAIE and CPSD is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.80

The correlation between CAIE and CPSD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CAIE vs. CPSD — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAIE

CAIE Risk / Return Rank: 71
CAIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
CAIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
CAIE Omega Ratio Rank: 68
CAIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
CAIE Martin Ratio Rank: 78

CPSD

CPSD Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CPSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CPSD Omega Ratio Rank: 94
CPSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
CPSD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

CAIE vs. CPSD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Autocallable Income ETF (CAIE) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CAIE	CPSD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.90	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	4.53	-1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.61	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	5.45	-2.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.03	26.59	-13.56

CAIE vs. CPSD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAIE Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is lower than the CPSD Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAIE and CPSD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CAIE vs. CPSD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAIE drawdown since its inception was -7.73%, which is greater than CPSD's maximum drawdown of -3.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAIE and CPSD.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAIE	CPSD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.73%	-3.45%	-4.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.73%	-1.49%	-6.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.25%	-0.37%	-1.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.10%	-0.46%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	0.30%	+1.49%

Volatility

CAIE vs. CPSD - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Autocallable Income ETF (CAIE) has a higher volatility of 3.37% compared to Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD) at 0.63%. This indicates that CAIE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPSD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAIE	CPSD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.37%	0.63%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.37%	1.65%	+6.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	2.80%	+9.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.00%	3.37%	+8.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.00%	3.37%	+8.63%

CAIE vs. CPSD - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAIE has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than CPSD's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAIE vs. CPSD - Dividend Comparison

CAIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.34%, while CPSD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
CAIE Calamos Autocallable Income ETF	13.34%	7.46%
CPSD Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAIE and CPSD in my portfolio?

CAIE and CPSD have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAIE or CPSD?

CAIE has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to CPSD (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAIE dropped -7.73% vs CPSD's -3.45%.

Which ETF is better, CAIE or CPSD?

On 1-year performance, CAIE leads with 23.25% vs 8.06% for CPSD. On fees, CPSD is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, CPSD has been the lower-risk option at 0.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CAIE or CPSD?

Over the 1-year period, CAIE has performed better with a 23.25% return vs 8.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CAIE or CPSD?

CPSD is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for CAIE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CAIE or CPSD?

CAIE has the higher dividend yield at 13.34%, compared with 0.00% for CPSD.

What is the main difference between CAIE and CPSD?

CAIE is categorized as Derivative Income, while CPSD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for CAIE and 0.69% for CPSD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 1.95), 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.