CPST vs. CPSJ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CPST (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September) and CPSJ (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - July) are both Defined Outcome funds from Calamos - CPST tracks the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep while CPSJ tracks the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Jul. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, CPST returned 7.04% vs 6.60% for CPSJ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.69% expense ratio.

Performance

CPST vs. CPSJ - 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 S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - July (CPSJ). 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 CPSJ's 2.86% return.

CPST

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

CPSJ

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 2.86%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 6.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPST vs. CPSJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	2.69%	6.73%	1.97%
CPSJ Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - July	2.86%	7.43%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between CPST and CPSJ is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2024	0.81

The correlation between CPST and CPSJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPST vs. CPSJ — 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

CPSJ

CPSJ Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPSJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CPSJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
CPSJ Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPSJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CPSJ 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.

CPST vs. CPSJ - 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 S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - July (CPSJ). 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	CPSJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.41	3.21	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.59	5.17	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.76	1.71	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.98	4.79	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.85	27.19	-0.34

CPST vs. CPSJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPST Sharpe Ratio is 3.41, which is comparable to the CPSJ Sharpe Ratio of 3.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPST and CPSJ, 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

CPST vs. CPSJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPST drawdown since its inception was -3.79%, smaller than the maximum CPSJ drawdown of -5.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPST and CPSJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPST	CPSJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-5.36%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	-1.38%	-0.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	0.00%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-0.44%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.26%	0.24%	+0.02%

Volatility

CPST vs. CPSJ - Volatility Comparison

Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) has a higher volatility of 0.46% compared to Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - July (CPSJ) at 0.35%. This indicates that CPST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPSJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPST	CPSJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	0.35%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	1.65%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10%	2.13%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.34%	4.53%	-1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.34%	4.53%	-1.19%

CPST vs. CPSJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CPST and CPSJ have an expense ratio of 0.69%.

Dividends

CPST vs. CPSJ - Dividend Comparison

Neither CPST nor CPSJ has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPST and CPSJ in my portfolio?

CPST and CPSJ have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPST or CPSJ?

CPST has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to CPSJ (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPST dropped -3.79% vs CPSJ's -5.36%.

Which ETF is better, CPST or CPSJ?

On 1-year performance, CPST leads with 7.04% vs 6.60% for CPSJ. Both ETFs have the same 0.69% expense ratio. On volatility, CPSJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPST or CPSJ?

Over the 1-year period, CPST has performed better with a 7.04% return vs 6.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPST or CPSJ?

CPST and CPSJ have the same expense ratio: 0.69% per year.

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

CPST and CPSJ have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between CPST and CPSJ?

CPST tracks MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep, while CPSJ tracks MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Jul.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.41 vs 3.21), 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.