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CTA vs. BYLD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

CTA vs. BYLD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) and BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify, while BYLD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index. CTA is actively managed, while BYLD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CTA returned 11.34%/yr vs 6.49%/yr for BYLD. At a correlation of -0.33, they often move in opposite directions. CTA charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for BYLD.

Performance

CTA vs. BYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTA achieves a 10.72% return, which is significantly higher than BYLD's 1.23% return.

CTA

1D
-1.40%
1M
-8.08%
YTD
10.72%
6M
12.41%
1Y
13.86%
3Y*
11.34%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

BYLD

1D
-0.18%
1M
0.61%
YTD
1.23%
6M
1.35%
1Y
7.01%
3Y*
6.49%
5Y*
2.21%
10Y*
3.01%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CTA vs. BYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
CTA
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF		10.72%0.88%24.15%-2.23%9.55%
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		1.23%8.41%4.17%8.30%-6.16%

Correlation

The correlation between CTA and BYLD is -0.36, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.36

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.35

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2022

-0.33

CTA vs. BYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
CTA
BYLD

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

99.2%

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.8%

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

-49.1%

-

Basic Materials

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Communication Services

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Cyclical

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Defensive

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Energy

CTA

-

BYLD
99.2%

Healthcare

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Industrials

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Real Estate

CTA

-

BYLD
0.8%

Technology

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Utilities

CTA

-

BYLD

-

Financial Services

CTA
-49.1%
BYLD

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF

iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF

Often compared with CTA:
CTA vs. DBMFCTA vs. SPYCTA vs. HARDCTA vs. WTMFCTA vs. SPMOCTA vs. VTCTA vs. RSST
Often compared with BYLD:
BYLD vs. IGEBBYLD vs. FBNDBYLD vs. BONDBYLD vs. TOTLBYLD vs. BNDBYLD vs. USHYBYLD vs. AGG

Return for Risk

CTA vs. BYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
CTA
CTA Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
CTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2121
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
CTA Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
CTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
CTA Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
BYLD
BYLD Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
BYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
BYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
BYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
BYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

CTA vs. BYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). 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.

CTABYLDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.69
1.85

-1.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.01
2.76

-1.75

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

1.35

-0.21

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.26

2.60

-1.33

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.28

10.54

-7.25

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CTA vs. BYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTA Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the BYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTA and BYLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

CTABYLDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.69

1.85

-1.16

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.43

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.56

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.59

0.57

+0.02

Drawdowns

CTA vs. BYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTA drawdown since its inception was -18.07%, which is greater than BYLD's maximum drawdown of -14.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTA and BYLD.

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Drawdown Indicators

CTABYLDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.07%

-14.75%

-3.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.00%

-2.71%

-8.29%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.23%

-3.94%

-7.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-14.65%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-14.75%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.15%

-0.34%

-8.81%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.68%

-2.51%

-3.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.23%

0.67%

+3.56%

Volatility

CTA vs. BYLD - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a higher volatility of 7.79% compared to iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) at 1.42%. This indicates that CTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

CTABYLDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.79%

1.42%

+6.37%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.37%

2.94%

+14.43%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.17%

3.82%

+16.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.59%

5.20%

+11.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.59%

5.43%

+11.16%

CTA vs. BYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTA has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than BYLD's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTA vs. BYLD - Dividend Comparison

CTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, less than BYLD's 5.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		5.36%5.32%5.31%4.45%3.39%2.18%3.41%3.67%4.22%3.22%3.14%3.37%
CTA
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF		4.92%3.19%4.80%7.78%6.58%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

CTA and BYLD have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

CTA has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to BYLD (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTA dropped -18.07% vs BYLD's -14.75%.

On 3-year performance, CTA leads with 11.34% vs 6.49% for BYLD. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, BYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, CTA has performed better with a 11.34% return vs 6.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.

BYLD has the higher dividend yield at 5.36%, compared with 4.92% for CTA.

CTA is categorized as Systematic Trend, while BYLD is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for CTA and 0.17% for BYLD.

BYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.69), 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.

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