CCEF vs. FCEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CCEF (Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF) and FCEF (First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CCEF is a Dividend fund actively managed by Calamos, while FCEF is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CCEF returned 15.55% vs 16.10% for FCEF. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CCEF charges 2.74%/yr vs 2.91%/yr for FCEF.

Performance

CCEF vs. FCEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) and First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CCEF achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly lower than FCEF's 6.40% return.

CCEF

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 1.52%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 6.83%
• 1Y: 15.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FCEF

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 6.40%
• 6M: 7.10%
• 1Y: 16.10%
• 3Y*: 15.70%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

CCEF vs. FCEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CCEF Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF	5.73%	13.47%	18.80%
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.40%	14.39%	17.13%

Correlation

The correlation between CCEF and FCEF is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.85

The correlation between CCEF and FCEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

CCEF vs. FCEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CCEF	FCEF
Financial Services	30.7%	25.5%
Energy	18.9%	13.6%
Technology	14.1%	11.9%
Healthcare	7.4%	9.2%
Industrials	5.9%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	4.3%	3.5%
Communication Services	4.2%	4.4%
Basic Materials	3.9%	2.7%
Utilities	3.7%	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	2.1%

Return for Risk

CCEF vs. FCEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

CCEF

CCEF Risk / Return Rank: 54
CCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
CCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
CCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 61
CCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
CCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 52

FCEF

FCEF Risk / Return Rank: 59
FCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
FCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

CCEF vs. FCEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) and First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF). 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.

	CCEF	FCEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.09	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.90	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	2.30	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.77	10.40	-1.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CCEF vs. FCEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CCEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the FCEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CCEF and FCEF, 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

	CCEF	FCEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.09	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	0.53	+0.97

Drawdowns

CCEF vs. FCEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CCEF drawdown since its inception was -13.25%, smaller than the maximum FCEF drawdown of -44.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CCEF and FCEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	CCEF	FCEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.25%	-44.81%	+31.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.75%	-7.03%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-1.13%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.35%	-6.28%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.55%	+0.23%

Volatility

CCEF vs. FCEF - Volatility Comparison

Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) has a higher volatility of 2.32% compared to First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF) at 2.11%. This indicates that CCEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CCEF	FCEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	2.11%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.66%	6.18%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.94%	7.75%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.78%	12.19%	-1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.78%	15.42%	-4.64%

CCEF vs. FCEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

CCEF has a 2.74% expense ratio, which is lower than FCEF's 2.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

CCEF vs. FCEF - Dividend Comparison

CCEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.98%, more than FCEF's 6.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CCEF Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF	7.98%	8.08%	6.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.86%	7.05%	7.13%	7.17%	7.26%	4.74%	5.03%	5.07%	5.96%	4.90%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CCEF and FCEF in my portfolio?

CCEF and FCEF have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CCEF or FCEF?

CCEF has higher volatility (2.32%) compared to FCEF (2.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CCEF dropped -13.25% vs FCEF's -44.81%.

Which ETF is better, CCEF or FCEF?

On 1-year performance, FCEF leads with 16.10% vs 15.55% for CCEF. On fees, CCEF is cheaper at 2.74% per year. On volatility, FCEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CCEF or FCEF?

Over the 1-year period, FCEF has performed better with a 16.10% return vs 15.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CCEF or FCEF?

CCEF is cheaper with a 2.74% expense ratio, compared with 2.91% for FCEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CCEF or FCEF?

CCEF has the higher dividend yield at 7.98%, compared with 6.86% for FCEF.

What is the main difference between CCEF and FCEF?

CCEF is categorized as Dividend, while FCEF is Diversified Portfolio. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 2.74% for CCEF and 2.91% for FCEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.97), 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.