CLPAX vs. FFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CLPAX (Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund) and FFA (First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund) are both Derivative Income funds. Over the past 10 years, CLPAX returned 8.09%/yr vs 13.61%/yr for FFA. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CLPAX charges 1.74%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for FFA.

Performance

CLPAX vs. FFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund (CLPAX) and First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CLPAX achieves a 17.67% return, which is significantly higher than FFA's 6.01% return. Over the past 10 years, CLPAX has underperformed FFA with an annualized return of 8.09%, while FFA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.61% annualized return.

CLPAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 9.92%
• YTD: 17.67%
• 6M: 12.98%
• 1Y: 29.30%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 9.79%
• 10Y*: 8.09%

FFA

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 6.01%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 23.85%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 10.38%
• 10Y*: 13.61%

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

CLPAX vs. FFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CLPAX Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund	17.67%	12.32%	11.42%	35.92%	-30.54%	13.11%	5.25%	19.41%	-3.65%	8.20%
FFA First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund	6.01%	14.23%	21.46%	24.73%	-20.26%	28.69%	10.82%	43.35%	-13.93%	28.97%

Correlation

The correlation between CLPAX and FFA is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 6, 2014	0.66

The correlation between CLPAX and FFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (10 years) to 0.77 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CLPAX vs. FFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLPAX

CLPAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
CLPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CLPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CLPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
CLPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
CLPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

FFA

FFA Risk / Return Rank: 46
FFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FFA Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FFA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

CLPAX vs. FFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund (CLPAX) and First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA). 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.

	CLPAX	FFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.01	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	2.85	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	2.36	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	11.07	-4.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CLPAX vs. FFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLPAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the FFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLPAX and FFA, 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

	CLPAX	FFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.01	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.60	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.69	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.43	+0.04

Drawdowns

CLPAX vs. FFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLPAX drawdown since its inception was -32.47%, smaller than the maximum FFA drawdown of -57.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLPAX and FFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLPAX	FFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.47%	-57.51%	+25.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.87%	-10.15%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.37%	-19.94%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.47%	-29.96%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.47%	-44.35%	+11.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.95%	+0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.08%	-8.42%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.59%	2.16%	+2.43%

Volatility

CLPAX vs. FFA - Volatility Comparison

Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund (CLPAX) has a higher volatility of 4.95% compared to First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA) at 2.91%. This indicates that CLPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CLPAX	FFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.95%	2.91%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	9.39%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.65%	11.96%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	17.34%	-1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.47%	19.71%	-5.24%

CLPAX vs. FFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLPAX has a 1.74% expense ratio, which is higher than FFA's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

CLPAX vs. FFA - Dividend Comparison

CLPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.74%, more than FFA's 6.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CLPAX Catalyst Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Fund	7.74%	9.10%	0.00%	0.00%	2.68%	0.32%	0.49%	5.41%	0.30%	0.02%	0.00%	17.26%
FFA First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund	6.60%	6.70%	6.59%	6.90%	7.99%	5.92%	6.47%	6.61%	8.82%	6.83%	7.07%	7.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLPAX and FFA in my portfolio?

CLPAX and FFA have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLPAX or FFA?

CLPAX has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to FFA (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLPAX dropped -32.47% vs FFA's -57.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CLPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.01), 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.