CTA vs. IALT

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) and IALT (iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify, while IALT is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CTA charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for IALT.

Performance

CTA vs. IALT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTA achieves a 2.16% return, which is significantly lower than IALT's 12.19% return.

CTA

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -11.66%
• YTD: 2.16%
• 6M: 2.76%
• 1Y: 3.57%
• 3Y*: 8.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IALT

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 12.19%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CTA vs. IALT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	2.16%	2.55%
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	12.19%	0.83%

Correlation

The correlation between CTA and IALT is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025	0.00

Return for Risk

CTA vs. IALT — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTA

CTA Risk / Return Rank: 10
CTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Omega Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Martin Ratio Rank: 11

IALT

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.

CTA vs. IALT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT). 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.

	CTA	IALT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.15	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.19	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.62	—	—

Drawdowns

CTA vs. IALT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTA drawdown since its inception was -18.07%, which is greater than IALT's maximum drawdown of -2.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTA and IALT.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTA	IALT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.07%	-2.27%	-15.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.18%	-0.91%	-15.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-0.38%	-5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CTA	IALT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.72%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.36%	7.84%	+12.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.62%	7.84%	+8.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.62%	7.84%	+8.78%

CTA vs. IALT - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTA has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is lower than IALT's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTA vs. IALT - Dividend Comparison

CTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.33%, more than IALT's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	5.33%	3.19%	4.80%	7.78%	6.58%
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF	0.40%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CTA and IALT in my portfolio?

CTA and IALT have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CTA or IALT?

On fees, CTA is cheaper at 0.78% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CTA or IALT?

CTA is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IALT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CTA or IALT?

CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.33%, compared with 0.40% for IALT.

What is the main difference between CTA and IALT?

CTA is categorized as Systematic Trend, while IALT is Multistrategy. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for CTA and 0.99% for IALT.