CTAP vs. HISF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTAP) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF).

CTAP and HISF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. CTAP is an actively managed fund by Simplify. It was launched on Dec 8, 2025. HISF is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Aug 13, 2014.

Performance

CTAP vs. HISF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTAP) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CTAP vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	5.36%	2.44%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	-0.74%	0.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTAP achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly higher than HISF's -0.74% return.

CTAP

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -5.40%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HISF

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: -0.74%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 5.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CTAP vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTAP has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.

HISF

First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF

CTAP

Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF

Return for Risk

CTAP vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 74
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 72
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

CTAP vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTAP) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CTAP	HISF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	1.32	-0.01

Correlation

The correlation between CTAP and HISF is 0.25, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

CTAP vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison

CTAP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than HISF's 4.92% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	4.92%	4.69%	3.92%

Drawdowns

CTAP vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTAP drawdown since its inception was -9.02%, which is greater than HISF's maximum drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTAP and HISF.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTAP	HISF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-3.86%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.64%	-1.96%	-3.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-0.86%	-1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.70%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CTAP	HISF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.26%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.12%	3.67%	+18.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.12%	3.96%	+18.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.12%	3.96%	+18.16%