CBXJ vs. CPST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CBXJ (Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January) and CPST (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - CBXJ is a Blockchain fund actively managed by Calamos, while CPST is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep. CBXJ is actively managed, while CPST is passively managed. Over the past year, CBXJ returned -20.48% vs 7.61% for CPST. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.69% expense ratio.

Performance

CBXJ vs. CPST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January (CBXJ) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBXJ achieves a -10.13% return, which is significantly lower than CPST's 2.67% return.

CBXJ

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: -6.42%
• YTD: -10.13%
• 6M: -15.21%
• 1Y: -20.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 7.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CBXJ vs. CPST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CBXJ Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January	-10.13%	-7.64%
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	2.67%	5.87%

Correlation

The correlation between CBXJ and CPST is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2025	0.41

Return for Risk

CBXJ vs. CPST — Risk / Return Rank

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

CBXJ

CBXJ Risk / Return Rank: 2
CBXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
CBXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
CBXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
CBXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CBXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 3

CPST

CPST Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CPST Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CPST 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.

CBXJ vs. CPST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January (CBXJ) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST). 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.

	CBXJ	CPST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.15	3.56	-4.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.57	5.91	-7.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.82	-1.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.73	5.38	-6.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.20	28.97	-30.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CBXJ vs. CPST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CBXJ Sharpe Ratio is -1.15, which is lower than the CPST Sharpe Ratio of 3.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CBXJ and CPST, 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

	CBXJ	CPST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.15	3.56	-4.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.79	2.02	-2.81

Drawdowns

CBXJ vs. CPST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBXJ drawdown since its inception was -28.02%, which is greater than CPST's maximum drawdown of -3.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBXJ and CPST.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBXJ	CPST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.02%	-3.79%	-24.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.02%	-1.42%	-26.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.02%	0.00%	-28.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.68%	-0.35%	-10.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.11%	0.26%	+16.85%

Volatility

CBXJ vs. CPST - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January (CBXJ) has a higher volatility of 2.90% compared to Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) at 0.30%. This indicates that CBXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CBXJ	CPST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	0.30%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	1.60%	+10.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.94%	2.15%	+15.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.71%	3.37%	+13.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.71%	3.37%	+13.34%

CBXJ vs. CPST - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CBXJ and CPST have an expense ratio of 0.69%.

Dividends

CBXJ vs. CPST - Dividend Comparison

CBXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, while CPST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
CBXJ Calamos Bitcoin 90 Series Structured Alt Protection ETF - January	2.19%	1.97%
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBXJ and CPST in my portfolio?

CBXJ and CPST have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CBXJ or CPST?

CBXJ has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to CPST (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBXJ dropped -28.02% vs CPST's -3.79%.

Which ETF is better, CBXJ or CPST?

On 1-year performance, CPST leads with 7.61% vs -20.48% for CBXJ. Both ETFs have the same 0.69% expense ratio. On volatility, CPST has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CBXJ or CPST?

Over the 1-year period, CPST has performed better with a 7.61% return vs -20.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CBXJ or CPST?

CBXJ and CPST have the same expense ratio: 0.69% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CBXJ or CPST?

CBXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.00% for CPST.

What is the main difference between CBXJ and CPST?

CBXJ is categorized as Blockchain, while CPST is Defined Outcome.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.56 vs -1.15), 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.