CTA vs. XSB.TO
CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) and XSB.TO (iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify, while XSB.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund tracking the Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD. CTA is actively managed, while XSB.TO is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CTA returned 9.41%/yr vs 3.42%/yr for XSB.TO. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. CTA charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for XSB.TO.
Performance
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
CTA is traded in USD, while XSB.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the XSB.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CTA achieves a 6.10% return, which is significantly higher than XSB.TO's -0.83% return.
CTA
- 1D
- -1.22%
- 1M
- -10.45%
- YTD
- 6.10%
- 6M
- 8.48%
- 1Y
- 6.45%
- 3Y*
- 9.41%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XSB.TO
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -1.11%
- YTD
- -0.83%
- 6M
- -0.03%
- 1Y
- 0.52%
- 3Y*
- 3.42%
- 5Y*
- -0.85%
- 10Y*
- 1.10%
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 6.10% | 0.88% | 24.15% | -2.23% | 9.01% |
XSB.TO iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF | -0.83% | 8.66% | -2.39% | 7.22% | -8.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between CTA and XSB.TO is -0.08, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022 | -0.18 |
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Return for Risk
CTA vs. XSB.TO — Risk / Return Rank
CTA
XSB.TO
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) and iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB.TO). 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 | XSB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.04 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.44 | 0.28 | +0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.24 | 0.67 | +0.57 |
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Drawdowns
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CTA drawdown since its inception was -18.07%, smaller than the maximum XSB.TO drawdown of -28.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTA and XSB.TO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CTA | XSB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.07% | -28.27% | +10.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.94% | -3.40% | -9.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.94% | -7.05% | -5.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -17.85% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.49% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.94% | -8.46% | -4.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.71% | -11.08% | +5.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.57% | 1.43% | +3.14% |
Volatility
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Volatility Comparison
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a higher volatility of 6.16% compared to iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB.TO) at 1.18%. This indicates that CTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XSB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CTA | XSB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.16% | 1.18% | +4.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.59% | 3.67% | +13.92% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.33% | 4.74% | +15.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.61% | 6.84% | +9.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.61% | 7.24% | +9.37% |
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
CTA has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than XSB.TO's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
CTA vs. XSB.TO - Dividend Comparison
CTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.13%, more than XSB.TO's 3.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.13% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XSB.TO iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF | 3.10% | 3.15% | 3.05% | 2.67% | 2.28% | 2.05% | 2.21% | 2.39% | 2.39% | 2.36% | 2.36% | 2.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CTA and XSB.TO have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, XSB.TO is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
XSB.TO is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
CTA is categorized as Systematic Trend, while XSB.TO is Canadian Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for CTA and 0.10% for XSB.TO.
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