CBTA vs. SMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CBTA (Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April) and SMAX (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. CBTA is passively managed, while SMAX is actively managed. Over the past year, CBTA returned -28.38% vs 9.17% for SMAX. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CBTA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SMAX.

Performance

CBTA vs. SMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April (CBTA) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBTA achieves a -23.76% return, which is significantly lower than SMAX's 3.09% return.

CBTA

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: -9.26%
• YTD: -23.76%
• 6M: -26.89%
• 1Y: -28.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMAX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 3.54%
• 1Y: 9.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CBTA vs. SMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CBTA Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April	-23.76%	11.79%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	3.09%	10.42%

Correlation

The correlation between CBTA and SMAX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2025	0.39

Return for Risk

CBTA vs. SMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CBTA

CBTA Risk / Return Rank: 2
CBTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
CBTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
CBTA Omega Ratio Rank: 2
CBTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
CBTA Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SMAX

SMAX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

CBTA vs. SMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April (CBTA) and iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX). 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.

	CBTA	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.98	3.46	-4.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.33	5.32	-6.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.75	-0.92
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	4.81	-5.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.42	26.11	-27.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CBTA vs. SMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CBTA Sharpe Ratio is -0.98, which is lower than the SMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CBTA and SMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CBTA	SMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.98	3.46	-4.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.47	2.01	-2.48

Drawdowns

CBTA vs. SMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBTA drawdown since its inception was -36.74%, which is greater than SMAX's maximum drawdown of -3.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBTA and SMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBTA	SMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.74%	-3.90%	-32.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.74%	-1.91%	-34.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.33%	-0.09%	-36.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.99%	-0.40%	-12.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.01%	0.35%	+19.66%

Volatility

CBTA vs. SMAX - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April (CBTA) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF (SMAX) at 0.38%. This indicates that CBTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CBTA	SMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	0.38%	+4.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.83%	2.10%	+22.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.99%	2.67%	+26.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.68%	3.67%	+24.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.68%	3.67%	+24.01%

CBTA vs. SMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CBTA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SMAX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

CBTA vs. SMAX - Dividend Comparison

CBTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than SMAX's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CBTA Calamos Bitcoin 80 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - April	1.17%	0.89%	0.00%
SMAX iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Sep ETF	0.95%	0.98%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBTA and SMAX in my portfolio?

CBTA and SMAX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CBTA or SMAX?

CBTA has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to SMAX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBTA dropped -36.74% vs SMAX's -3.90%.

Which ETF is better, CBTA or SMAX?

On 1-year performance, SMAX leads with 9.17% vs -28.38% for CBTA. On fees, SMAX is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SMAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CBTA or SMAX?

Over the 1-year period, SMAX has performed better with a 9.17% return vs -28.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CBTA or SMAX?

SMAX is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CBTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CBTA or SMAX?

CBTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.95% for SMAX.

What is the main difference between CBTA and SMAX?

They also come from different issuers: Calamos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CBTA and 0.50% for SMAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs -0.98), 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.