CIHEX vs. CSQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CIHEX (Calamos Hedged Equity Fund) and CSQ (Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - CIHEX is a Options Trading fund managed by Calamos, while CSQ is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Calamos. Over the past 10 years, CIHEX returned 8.60%/yr vs 16.35%/yr for CSQ. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CIHEX charges 0.91%/yr vs 2.46%/yr for CSQ.

Performance

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Hedged Equity Fund (CIHEX) 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, CIHEX achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly lower than CSQ's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, CIHEX has underperformed CSQ with an annualized return of 8.60%, while CSQ has yielded a comparatively higher 16.35% annualized return.

CIHEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 6M: 6.71%
• 1Y: 16.62%
• 3Y*: 13.73%
• 5Y*: 8.45%
• 10Y*: 8.60%

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)

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CIHEX Calamos Hedged Equity Fund	6.67%	11.36%	14.96%	15.88%	-11.11%	13.31%	9.66%	14.47%	0.87%	8.37%
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 CIHEX and CSQ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.79

The correlation between CIHEX and CSQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CIHEX vs. CSQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CIHEX

CIHEX Risk / Return Rank: 81
CIHEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
CIHEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
CIHEX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
CIHEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
CIHEX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Hedged Equity Fund (CIHEX) 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.

	CIHEX	CSQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	1.85	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	2.49	+1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.33	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.68	1.74	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.34	7.53	+8.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIHEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the CSQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIHEX 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

	CIHEX	CSQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	1.85	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.56	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.71	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.43	+0.39

Drawdowns

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIHEX drawdown since its inception was -17.80%, smaller than the maximum CSQ drawdown of -67.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIHEX and CSQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIHEX	CSQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.80%	-67.17%	+49.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.68%	-15.25%	+10.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.80%	-24.18%	+14.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.77%	-33.09%	+17.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.80%	-48.21%	+30.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.97%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.32%	-9.34%	+7.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	3.52%	-2.47%

Volatility

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos Hedged Equity Fund (CIHEX) is 1.63%, while Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) has a volatility of 4.02%. This indicates that CIHEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIHEX	CSQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	4.02%	-2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.76%	11.62%	-6.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.46%	14.37%	-7.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.14%	19.97%	-10.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.39%	22.98%	-13.59%

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIHEX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is lower than CSQ's 2.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIHEX vs. CSQ - Dividend Comparison

CIHEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than CSQ's 6.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIHEX Calamos Hedged Equity Fund	0.31%	0.33%	0.46%	0.69%	0.73%	0.44%	1.03%	0.99%	3.16%	0.85%	1.29%	1.69%
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 CIHEX and CSQ in my portfolio?

CIHEX and CSQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CIHEX or CSQ?

CSQ has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to CIHEX (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIHEX dropped -17.80% vs CSQ's -67.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIHEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 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.