CPSA vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CPSA (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CPSA is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Aug, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, CPSA returned 7.47% vs 4.42% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. CPSA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

CPSA vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPSA achieves a 2.88% return, which is significantly higher than IBIC's 2.43% return.

CPSA

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 2.86%
• 1Y: 7.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 2.43%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 4.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPSA vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPSA Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August	2.88%	7.39%	3.12%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.43%	4.96%	2.31%

Correlation

The correlation between CPSA and IBIC is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2024	-0.11

Return for Risk

CPSA vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPSA

CPSA Risk / Return Rank: 95
CPSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CPSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CPSA Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CPSA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

CPSA vs. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	CPSA	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.43	4.99	-1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.63	8.97	-3.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	2.22	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.09	16.56	-11.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.08	58.67	-29.59

CPSA vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPSA Sharpe Ratio is 3.43, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 4.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPSA and IBIC, 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

CPSA vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPSA drawdown since its inception was -4.72%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPSA and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPSA	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.72%	-0.90%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.47%	-0.27%	-1.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.08%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.38%	-0.10%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.26%	0.08%	+0.18%

Volatility

CPSA vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA) has a higher volatility of 0.48% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.17%. This indicates that CPSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPSA	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.48%	0.17%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.74%	0.67%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23%	0.89%	+1.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.10%	1.56%	+2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.10%	1.56%	+2.54%

CPSA vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPSA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPSA vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

CPSA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CPSA Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.58%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPSA and IBIC in my portfolio?

CPSA and IBIC have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPSA or IBIC?

CPSA has higher volatility (0.48%) compared to IBIC (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPSA dropped -4.72% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, CPSA or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, CPSA leads with 7.47% vs 4.42% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPSA or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, CPSA has performed better with a 7.47% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPSA or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CPSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CPSA or IBIC?

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 0.00% for CPSA.

What is the main difference between CPSA and IBIC?

CPSA is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. CPSA tracks MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Aug, while IBIC tracks ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CPSA and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.99 vs 3.43), 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.