CPSD vs. CPSL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CPSD (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December) and CPSL (Calamos Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Calamos. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CPSD returned 9.16% vs 7.09% for CPSL. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CPSD charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for CPSL.

Performance

CPSD vs. CPSL - 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 Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF (CPSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPSD achieves a 2.55% return, which is significantly lower than CPSL's 2.71% return.

CPSD

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.55%
• 6M: 2.99%
• 1Y: 9.16%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPSL

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 2.71%
• 6M: 3.02%
• 1Y: 7.09%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPSD vs. CPSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPSD Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December	2.55%	7.63%	0.04%
CPSL Calamos Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF	2.71%	6.43%	-0.20%

Correlation

The correlation between CPSD and CPSL is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.68

The correlation between CPSD and CPSL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPSD vs. CPSL — 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: 92
CPSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CPSD Omega Ratio Rank: 95
CPSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
CPSD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

CPSL

CPSL Risk / Return Rank: 93
CPSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
CPSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CPSL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
CPSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CPSL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. CPSL - 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 Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF (CPSL). 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.

	CPSD	CPSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.26	3.10	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.18	5.05	+0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.62	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.19	6.04	+0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	30.66	31.16	-0.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPSD vs. CPSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPSD Sharpe Ratio is 3.26, which is comparable to the CPSL Sharpe Ratio of 3.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPSD and CPSL, 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

	CPSD	CPSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.26	3.10	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.03	2.01	+0.01

Drawdowns

CPSD vs. CPSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPSD drawdown since its inception was -3.45%, smaller than the maximum CPSL drawdown of -3.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPSD and CPSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPSD	CPSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-3.72%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.49%	-1.18%	-0.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.04%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-0.33%	-0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.23%	+0.07%

Volatility

CPSD vs. CPSL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - December (CPSD) is 0.37%, while Calamos Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF (CPSL) has a volatility of 0.39%. This indicates that CPSD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CPSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPSD	CPSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.37%	0.39%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.58%	1.57%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83%	2.35%	+0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.41%	3.34%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.41%	3.34%	+0.07%

CPSD vs. CPSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPSD has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than CPSL's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPSD vs. CPSL - Dividend Comparison

Neither CPSD nor CPSL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPSD and CPSL in my portfolio?

CPSD and CPSL have a correlation of 0.64, 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 CPSL?

CPSL has higher volatility (0.39%) compared to CPSD (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPSD dropped -3.45% vs CPSL's -3.72%.

Which ETF is better, CPSD or CPSL?

On 1-year performance, CPSD leads with 9.16% vs 7.09% for CPSL. On fees, CPSD is cheaper at 0.69% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPSD or CPSL?

Over the 1-year period, CPSD has performed better with a 9.16% return vs 7.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPSD or CPSL?

CPSD is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for CPSL.

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

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

What is the main difference between CPSD and CPSL?

Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CPSD and 0.79% for CPSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.26 vs 3.10), 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.