CSQAX vs. CIK

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

CSQAX (Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares) and CIK (Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund) are both mutual funds - CSQAX is a Multistrategy fund tracking the Credit Suisse Liquid Alternative Beta Index, while CIK is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Master II Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CSQAX returned 3.14%/yr vs 7.23%/yr for CIK. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CSQAX charges 1.74%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for CIK.

Performance

CSQAX vs. CIK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares (CSQAX) and Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund (CIK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSQAX achieves a 3.21% return, which is significantly higher than CIK's -8.12% return. Over the past 10 years, CSQAX has underperformed CIK with an annualized return of 3.14%, while CIK has yielded a comparatively higher 7.23% annualized return.

CSQAX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.48%
• 6M: 3.33%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 1Y: 2.87%
• 3Y*: 3.42%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 3.14%

CIK

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: -9.08%
• YTD: -8.12%
• 1Y: -8.91%
• 3Y*: 3.80%
• 5Y*: 2.66%
• 10Y*: 7.23%

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

CSQAX vs. CIK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSQAX Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares	3.21%	0.73%	0.66%	1.72%	5.52%	9.98%	6.10%	2.88%	-4.31%	4.07%
CIK Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund	-8.12%	7.53%	1.01%	36.79%	-19.19%	17.88%	7.39%	26.82%	-8.94%	13.39%

Correlation

The correlation between CSQAX and CIK is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2012	0.14

Return for Risk

CSQAX vs. CIK — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSQAX

CSQAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
CSQAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
CSQAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CSQAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CSQAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
CSQAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

CIK

CIK Risk / Return Rank: 1
CIK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
CIK Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
CIK Omega Ratio Rank: 1
CIK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
CIK Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

CSQAX vs. CIK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares (CSQAX) and Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund (CIK). 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.

	CSQAX	CIK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	-0.79	+1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	-1.11	+1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.87	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	-0.58	+1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.75	-1.14	+2.89

CSQAX vs. CIK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSQAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is higher than the CIK Sharpe Ratio of -0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSQAX and CIK, 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

CSQAX vs. CIK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSQAX drawdown since its inception was -8.37%, smaller than the maximum CIK drawdown of -54.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSQAX and CIK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSQAX	CIK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.37%	-54.81%	+46.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.92%	-15.49%	+10.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.27%	-15.66%	+10.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.28%	-26.22%	+18.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.37%	-39.15%	+30.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-12.41%	+9.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.08%	-13.32%	+11.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	7.84%	-5.85%

Volatility

CSQAX vs. CIK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares (CSQAX) is 2.68%, while Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund (CIK) has a volatility of 2.89%. This indicates that CSQAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CIK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSQAX	CIK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	2.89%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.28%	9.01%	-2.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.76%	11.38%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.46%	15.95%	-9.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.11%	17.27%	-11.16%

CSQAX vs. CIK - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSQAX has a 1.74% expense ratio, which is higher than CIK's 1.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSQAX vs. CIK - Dividend Comparison

CSQAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than CIK's 10.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIK Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund	10.48%	9.54%	9.34%	8.63%	10.71%	7.87%	8.57%	8.39%	9.64%	7.98%	8.35%	9.50%
CSQAX Credit Suisse Multialternative Strategy Fund Class A Shares	1.30%	1.09%	6.54%	2.73%	2.59%	9.06%	13.23%	4.77%	1.84%	5.27%	1.87%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSQAX and CIK in my portfolio?

CSQAX and CIK have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSQAX or CIK?

CIK has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to CSQAX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSQAX dropped -8.37% vs CIK's -54.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSQAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs -0.79), 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.