CPSD vs. CPSA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CPSD (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December) and CPSA (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds from Calamos. CPSD is actively managed, while CPSA is passively managed. Over the past year, CPSD returned 9.09% vs 8.12% for CPSA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.69% expense ratio.

Performance

CPSD vs. CPSA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPSD achieves a 2.63% return, which is significantly lower than CPSA's 3.01% return.

CPSD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 2.63%
• 6M: 2.73%
• 1Y: 9.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPSA

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: 3.07%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPSD vs. CPSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPSD Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December	2.63%	7.63%	0.04%
CPSA Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August	3.01%	7.39%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between CPSD and CPSA is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2024	0.73

The correlation between CPSD and CPSA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPSD vs. CPSA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPSD

CPSD Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CPSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPSD Omega Ratio Rank: 95
CPSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
CPSD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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: 91
CPSA Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

CPSD vs. CPSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA). 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.

	CPSD	CPSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.26	3.66	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.15	6.13	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.82	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.15	5.53	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.18	31.65	-1.47

CPSD vs. CPSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPSD Sharpe Ratio is 3.26, which is comparable to the CPSA Sharpe Ratio of 3.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPSD and CPSA, 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

CPSD vs. CPSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPSD drawdown since its inception was -3.45%, smaller than the maximum CPSA drawdown of -4.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPSD and CPSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPSD	CPSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-4.72%	+1.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.49%	-1.47%	-0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.46%	-0.38%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.26%	+0.04%

Volatility

CPSD vs. CPSA - Volatility Comparison

Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD) has a higher volatility of 0.61% compared to Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA) at 0.46%. This indicates that CPSD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPSD	CPSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.46%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.63%	1.73%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.81%	2.23%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.38%	4.10%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.38%	4.10%	-0.72%

CPSD vs. CPSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CPSD and CPSA have an expense ratio of 0.69%.

Dividends

CPSD vs. CPSA - Dividend Comparison

Neither CPSD nor CPSA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPSD and CPSA in my portfolio?

CPSD and CPSA have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPSD or CPSA?

CPSD has higher volatility (0.61%) compared to CPSA (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPSD dropped -3.45% vs CPSA's -4.72%.

Which ETF is better, CPSD or CPSA?

On 1-year performance, CPSD leads with 9.09% vs 8.12% for CPSA. Both ETFs have the same 0.69% expense ratio. On volatility, CPSA has been the lower-risk option at 0.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPSD or CPSA?

Over the 1-year period, CPSD has performed better with a 9.09% return vs 8.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPSD or CPSA?

CPSD and CPSA have the same expense ratio: 0.69% per year.

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

CPSD and CPSA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs 3.26), 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.