CTA vs. ISTB
CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify, while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). CTA is actively managed, while ISTB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CTA returned 8.35%/yr vs 4.99%/yr for ISTB. Their -0.38 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. CTA charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.
Performance
CTA vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CTA achieves a 2.94% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.63% return.
CTA
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 6.16%
- 6M
- -0.31%
- YTD
- 2.94%
- 1Y
- 7.76%
- 3Y*
- 8.35%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 7.49%
ISTB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 0.63%
- 1Y
- 2.74%
- 3Y*
- 4.99%
- 5Y*
- 1.86%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.01%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $11.61M | $12.21M | $14.75M | |
| $20.52M | $19.72M | $25.64M |
CTA vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 2.94% | 0.88% | 24.15% | -2.23% | 9.01% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.63% | 6.36% | 4.37% | 5.56% | -3.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between CTA and ISTB is -0.34, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022 | -0.38 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
CTA vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank
CTA
ISTB
CTA vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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 | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | 1.34 | -0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.20 | 2.61 | -2.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.53 | 9.39 | -8.86 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
CTA vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CTA drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTA and ISTB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| CTA | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.44% | -9.34% | -11.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.44% | -1.26% | -19.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.44% | -1.36% | -19.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -9.34% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -9.34% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.54% | -0.27% | -15.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.06% | -1.21% | -4.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.61% | 0.35% | +7.26% |
Volatility
CTA vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a higher volatility of 8.38% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.48%. This indicates that CTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| CTA | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.38% | 0.48% | +7.90% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.10% | 1.42% | +17.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.74% | 1.80% | +19.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.92% | 2.81% | +14.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.92% | 2.51% | +14.41% |
CTA vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
CTA has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
CTA vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison
CTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.38%, more than ISTB's 4.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.38% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 3.91% | 4.12% | 3.83% | 2.97% | 2.01% | 1.69% | 2.20% | 2.75% | 2.57% | 2.06% | 1.90% | 1.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CTA and ISTB have a correlation of -0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CTA has higher volatility (8.38%) compared to ISTB (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTA dropped -20.44% vs ISTB's -9.34%.
On 3-year performance, CTA leads with 8.35% vs 4.99% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. 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 8.35% return vs 4.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.38%, compared with 3.91% for ISTB.
CTA is categorized as Systematic Trend, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for CTA and 0.06% for ISTB.
ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 0.19), 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.
Find the right allocation for CTA and ISTB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer