CPST vs. CAIQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CPST (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September) and CAIQ (Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CPST is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep, while CAIQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CPST charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for CAIQ.

Performance

CPST vs. CAIQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) and Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPST achieves a 2.69% return, which is significantly lower than CAIQ's 11.87% return.

CPST

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 6M: 2.68%
• 1Y: 7.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAIQ

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: 11.87%
• 6M: 11.00%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPST vs. CAIQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	2.69%	1.05%
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	11.87%	4.03%

Correlation

The correlation between CPST and CAIQ is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

CPST vs. CAIQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPST

CPST Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CPST Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CPST Martin Ratio Rank: 95

CAIQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

CPST vs. CAIQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) and Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ). 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.

	CPST	CAIQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.41	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.59	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.76	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.98	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.85	—	—

Drawdowns

CPST vs. CAIQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPST drawdown since its inception was -3.79%, smaller than the maximum CAIQ drawdown of -9.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPST and CAIQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPST	CAIQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-9.06%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-1.48%	+1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-1.68%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.26%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CPST	CAIQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10%	13.74%	-11.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.34%	13.74%	-10.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.34%	13.74%	-10.40%

CPST vs. CAIQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPST has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than CAIQ's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPST vs. CAIQ - Dividend Comparison

CPST has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CAIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.58%.

Position	TTM	2025
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	8.58%	1.54%
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPST and CAIQ in my portfolio?

CPST and CAIQ have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CPST or CAIQ?

On fees, CPST is cheaper at 0.69% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPST or CAIQ?

CPST is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for CAIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CPST or CAIQ?

CAIQ has the higher dividend yield at 8.58%, compared with 0.00% for CPST.

What is the main difference between CPST and CAIQ?

CPST is categorized as Defined Outcome, while CAIQ is Nasdaq-100. CPST tracks MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep, while CAIQ tracks MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for CPST and 0.74% for CAIQ.