CPSO vs. CPSA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CPSO (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - October) and CPSA (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August) are both Defined Outcome funds from Calamos. CPSO is actively managed, while CPSA is passively managed. Over the past year, CPSO returned 7.29% vs 8.10% for CPSA. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.69% expense ratio.

Performance

CPSO 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 - October (CPSO) 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

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CPSO having a 2.72% return and CPSA slightly higher at 2.81%.

CPSO

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 2.72%
• 6M: 3.00%
• 1Y: 7.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPSA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 3.15%
• 1Y: 8.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPSO vs. CPSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPSO Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - October	2.72%	6.24%	0.77%
CPSA Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August	2.81%	7.39%	1.33%

Correlation

The correlation between CPSO and CPSA is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2024	0.85

The correlation between CPSO and CPSA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPSO vs. CPSA — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPSO

CPSO Risk / Return Rank: 93
CPSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CPSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPSO Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
CPSO Martin Ratio Rank: 93

CPSA

CPSA Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CPSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPSA Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CPSA 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.

CPSO 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 - October (CPSO) 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.

	CPSO	CPSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	3.53	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.54	5.81	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.77	1.78	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.05	5.52	-0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.43	31.36	-5.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPSO vs. CPSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPSO Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is comparable to the CPSA Sharpe Ratio of 3.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPSO 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CPSO	CPSA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	3.53	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.96	1.84	+0.12

Drawdowns

CPSO vs. CPSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPSO drawdown since its inception was -3.23%, smaller than the maximum CPSA drawdown of -4.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPSO and CPSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPSO	CPSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.23%	-4.72%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-1.47%	+0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.33%	-0.38%	+0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.26%	+0.03%

Volatility

CPSO vs. CPSA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - October (CPSO) is 0.33%, while Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - August (CPSA) has a volatility of 0.41%. This indicates that CPSO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CPSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPSO	CPSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	0.41%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.66%	1.73%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14%	2.33%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.02%	4.14%	-1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.02%	4.14%	-1.12%

CPSO vs. CPSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

CPSO vs. CPSA - Dividend Comparison

Neither CPSO nor CPSA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPSO and CPSA in my portfolio?

CPSO and CPSA have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPSO or CPSA?

CPSA has higher volatility (0.41%) compared to CPSO (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPSO dropped -3.23% vs CPSA's -4.72%.

Which ETF is better, CPSO or CPSA?

On 1-year performance, CPSA leads with 8.10% vs 7.29% for CPSO. Both ETFs have the same 0.69% expense ratio. 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, CPSO or CPSA?

Over the 1-year period, CPSA has performed better with a 8.10% return vs 7.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPSO or CPSA?

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

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

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs 3.42), 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.