CICVX vs. CSQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CICVX (Calamos Convertible Fund) and CSQ (Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - CICVX is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund managed by Calamos, while CSQ is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Calamos. Over the past 10 years, CICVX returned 12.56%/yr vs 16.35%/yr for CSQ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CICVX charges 0.85%/yr vs 2.46%/yr for CSQ.

Performance

CICVX vs. CSQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Convertible Fund (CICVX) and Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CICVX achieves a 26.40% return, which is significantly higher than CSQ's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, CICVX has underperformed CSQ with an annualized return of 12.56%, while CSQ has yielded a comparatively higher 16.35% annualized return.

CICVX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 7.82%
• YTD: 26.40%
• 6M: 26.09%
• 1Y: 46.23%
• 3Y*: 20.94%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 12.56%

CSQ

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 11.37%
• 1Y: 26.44%
• 3Y*: 22.32%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 10Y*: 16.35%

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

CICVX vs. CSQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CICVX Calamos Convertible Fund	26.40%	19.03%	9.94%	10.95%	-21.02%	5.36%	48.84%	19.51%	0.59%	14.21%
CSQ Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund	9.63%	16.25%	28.11%	20.80%	-24.26%	30.77%	26.22%	38.62%	-4.89%	27.98%

Correlation

The correlation between CICVX and CSQ is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2004	0.69

The correlation between CICVX and CSQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CICVX vs. CSQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CICVX

CICVX Risk / Return Rank: 91
CICVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CICVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
CICVX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
CICVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
CICVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

CSQ

CSQ Risk / Return Rank: 34
CSQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
CSQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
CSQ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CSQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
CSQ Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

CICVX vs. CSQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Convertible Fund (CICVX) and Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ). 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.

	CICVX	CSQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.21	1.85	+1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	2.49	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.33	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.18	1.74	+4.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.05	7.53	+16.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CICVX vs. CSQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CICVX Sharpe Ratio is 3.21, which is higher than the CSQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CICVX and CSQ, 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

	CICVX	CSQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21	1.85	+1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.56	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.71	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.43	-0.08

Drawdowns

CICVX vs. CSQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CICVX drawdown since its inception was -49.33%, smaller than the maximum CSQ drawdown of -67.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CICVX and CSQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CICVX	CSQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.33%	-67.17%	+17.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.70%	-15.25%	+7.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.79%	-24.18%	+9.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.17%	-33.09%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.17%	-48.21%	+21.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.97%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.48%	-9.34%	-8.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	3.52%	-1.54%

Volatility

CICVX vs. CSQ - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Convertible Fund (CICVX) has a higher volatility of 5.22% compared to Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) at 4.02%. This indicates that CICVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CICVX	CSQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	4.02%	+1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.17%	11.62%	+0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.86%	14.37%	+0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	19.97%	-7.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.89%	22.98%	-10.09%

CICVX vs. CSQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CICVX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than CSQ's 2.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

CICVX vs. CSQ - Dividend Comparison

CICVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.97%, more than CSQ's 6.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CICVX Calamos Convertible Fund	9.97%	12.51%	1.83%	2.48%	0.94%	15.90%	7.74%	1.39%	16.75%	4.55%	3.43%	5.41%
CSQ Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund	6.48%	6.51%	6.95%	8.27%	9.17%	6.38%	7.03%	7.14%	9.35%	8.20%	9.64%	10.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CICVX and CSQ in my portfolio?

CICVX and CSQ have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CICVX or CSQ?

CICVX has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to CSQ (4.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CICVX dropped -49.33% vs CSQ's -67.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CICVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.21 vs 1.85), 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.