CTA vs. IALT
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. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. CTA charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for IALT.
Performance
CTA vs. IALT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CTA achieves a 2.94% return, which is significantly lower than IALT's 13.61% return.
CTA
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 5.83%
- 6M
- -0.31%
- YTD
- 2.94%
- 1Y
- 4.03%
- 3Y*
- 8.35%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 7.49%
IALT
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 2.17%
- 6M
- 10.96%
- YTD
- 13.61%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $11.61M | $12.21M | $14.75M | |
| $39.70M | $35.42M | $112.35M |
CTA vs. IALT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 2.94% | 2.55% |
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 13.61% | 0.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between CTA and IALT is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025 | -0.01 |
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Return for Risk
CTA vs. IALT — Risk / Return Rank
CTA
IALT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.20 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.53 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
CTA vs. IALT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CTA drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, 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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CTA | IALT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.44% | -2.27% | -18.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.44% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.54% | -0.76% | -14.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.06% | -0.49% | -5.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.61% | — | — |
Volatility
CTA vs. IALT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| CTA | IALT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.38% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.10% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.74% | 8.03% | +13.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.92% | 8.03% | +8.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.92% | 8.03% | +8.89% |
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 5.38%, more than IALT's 0.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.38% | 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
CTA and IALT have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
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.
CTA is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IALT.
CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.38%, compared with 0.40% for 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.
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