CPLIX vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CPLIX (Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Over the past 10 years, CPLIX returned 7.10%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for FTLS. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CPLIX charges 1.38%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund (CPLIX) 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, CPLIX achieves a 0.47% return, which is significantly lower than FTLS's 5.21% return. Over the past 10 years, CPLIX has underperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 7.10%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.81% annualized return.

CPLIX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 1.86%
• 1Y: 4.11%
• 3Y*: 7.46%
• 5Y*: 3.19%
• 10Y*: 7.10%

FTLS

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 6M: 4.51%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CPLIX Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund	0.47%	9.89%	8.89%	8.04%	-0.96%	7.52%	19.81%	3.97%	-5.96%	9.22%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.21%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between CPLIX and FTLS is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2016	0.42

The correlation between CPLIX and FTLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (3 years) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CPLIX vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPLIX

CPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 5
CPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
CPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
CPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
CPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
CPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund (CPLIX) 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.

	CPLIX	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	1.81	-1.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.75	2.64	-1.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.33	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	3.96	-3.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.07	12.34	-11.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPLIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPLIX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CPLIX	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45	1.81	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.98	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.87	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.81	-0.32

Drawdowns

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPLIX drawdown since its inception was -33.71%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPLIX and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPLIX	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.71%	-20.54%	-13.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.73%	-3.79%	-4.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.73%	-11.69%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.28%	-11.69%	-6.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.71%	-20.54%	-13.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.91%	-0.15%	-3.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-2.69%	-2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	1.21%	+2.34%

Volatility

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund (CPLIX) has a higher volatility of 3.73% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 1.93%. This indicates that CPLIX'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

	CPLIX	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	1.93%	+1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.83%	5.65%	+2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.79%	8.19%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.35%	10.55%	+1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.27%	11.30%	+3.97%

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPLIX has a 1.38% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPLIX vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

CPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.50%, more than FTLS's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CPLIX Calamos Phineus Long/Short Fund	5.50%	5.52%	6.90%	1.86%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.43%	3.88%	1.21%	0.85%	0.00%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.90%	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 CPLIX and FTLS in my portfolio?

CPLIX and FTLS have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPLIX or FTLS?

CPLIX has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to FTLS (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPLIX dropped -33.71% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.45), 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.