CCEF vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

CCEF (Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CCEF is a Dividend fund actively managed by Calamos, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CCEF returned 13.87% vs 13.67% for FTLS. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CCEF charges 2.74%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

CCEF vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CCEF achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 3.92% return.

CCEF

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 5.75%
• 1Y: 13.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTLS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 3.92%
• 6M: 2.81%
• 1Y: 13.67%
• 3Y*: 13.68%
• 5Y*: 9.90%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

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

CCEF vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CCEF Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF	5.53%	13.47%	17.80%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	3.92%	9.09%	15.38%

Correlation

The correlation between CCEF and FTLS is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2024	0.59

The correlation between CCEF and FTLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CCEF vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CCEF

CCEF Risk / Return Rank: 52
CCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
CCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
CCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
CCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
CCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 51

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 63
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.

	CCEF	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.64	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.37	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.29	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	3.63	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.72	11.17	-3.45

CCEF vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CCEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CCEF and FTLS, 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

CCEF vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CCEF drawdown since its inception was -13.25%, smaller than the maximum FTLS drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CCEF and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CCEF	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.25%	-20.54%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.75%	-3.79%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.69%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-1.56%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.35%	-2.68%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	1.23%	+0.57%

Volatility

CCEF vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 2.57%. This indicates that CCEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CCEF	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	2.57%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.01%	5.93%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.23%	8.39%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.77%	10.58%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.77%	11.27%	-0.50%

CCEF vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CCEF has a 2.74% expense ratio, which is higher than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CCEF vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

CCEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.00%, more than FTLS's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CCEF Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF	8.00%	8.08%	6.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	1.20%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CCEF and FTLS in my portfolio?

CCEF and FTLS have a correlation of 0.58, 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 FTLS?

CCEF has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to FTLS (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CCEF dropped -13.25% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which ETF is better, CCEF or FTLS?

On 1-year performance, CCEF leads with 13.87% vs 13.67% for FTLS. On fees, FTLS is cheaper at 1.60% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CCEF or FTLS?

Over the 1-year period, CCEF has performed better with a 13.87% return vs 13.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CCEF or FTLS?

FTLS is cheaper with a 1.60% expense ratio, compared with 2.74% for CCEF.

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

CCEF has the higher dividend yield at 8.00%, compared with 1.20% for FTLS.

What is the main difference between CCEF and FTLS?

CCEF is categorized as Dividend, while FTLS is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 2.74% for CCEF and 1.60% for FTLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CCEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.64), 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.