CVTRX vs. CSQ

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

CVTRX (Calamos Growth and Income Fund) and CSQ (Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Calamos. Over the past 10 years, CVTRX returned 12.73%/yr vs 15.96%/yr for CSQ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CVTRX charges 1.05%/yr vs 2.46%/yr for CSQ.

Performance

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Growth and Income Fund (CVTRX) and Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CVTRX having a 10.52% return and CSQ slightly higher at 10.76%. Over the past 10 years, CVTRX has underperformed CSQ with an annualized return of 12.73%, while CSQ has yielded a comparatively higher 15.96% annualized return.

CVTRX

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 1.07%
• 6M: 8.24%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 1Y: 20.81%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 12.73%

CSQ

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 2.46%
• 6M: 7.84%
• YTD: 10.76%
• 1Y: 20.88%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 10.46%
• 10Y*: 15.96%

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

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CVTRX Calamos Growth and Income Fund	10.52%	17.46%	20.66%	20.36%	-18.45%	21.05%	22.43%	25.97%	-3.97%	16.06%
CSQ Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund	10.76%	16.25%	28.11%	20.80%	-24.26%	30.77%	26.22%	38.62%	-4.89%	27.98%

Correlation

The correlation between CVTRX and CSQ is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2004	0.73

The correlation between CVTRX and CSQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CVTRX vs. CSQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CVTRX

CVTRX Risk / Return Rank: 58
CVTRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
CVTRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
CVTRX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
CVTRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
CVTRX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

CSQ

CSQ Risk / Return Rank: 34
CSQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CSQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
CSQ Omega Ratio Rank: 37
CSQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
CSQ Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Growth and Income Fund (CVTRX) and Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ). 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.

	CVTRX	CSQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.36	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.89	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	1.38	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.99	5.84	+4.15

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CVTRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the CSQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CVTRX and CSQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CVTRX drawdown since its inception was -44.13%, smaller than the maximum CSQ drawdown of -67.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CVTRX and CSQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CVTRX	CSQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.13%	-67.17%	+23.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.14%	-15.25%	+6.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.45%	-24.18%	+7.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.30%	-33.09%	+9.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.20%	-48.21%	+20.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-0.98%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-9.30%	+4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	3.59%	-1.48%

Volatility

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos Growth and Income Fund (CVTRX) is 4.38%, while Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) has a volatility of 4.84%. This indicates that CVTRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CVTRX	CSQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	4.84%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	12.80%	-2.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	15.38%	-2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.99%	20.15%	-5.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.40%	23.01%	-7.61%

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CVTRX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than CSQ's 2.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

CVTRX vs. CSQ - Dividend Comparison

CVTRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, less than CSQ's 6.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSQ Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund	6.76%	6.51%	6.95%	8.27%	9.17%	6.38%	7.03%	7.14%	9.35%	8.20%	9.64%	10.00%
CVTRX Calamos Growth and Income Fund	6.61%	7.38%	4.83%	4.18%	4.02%	5.52%	3.22%	3.56%	8.61%	7.21%	7.31%	6.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CVTRX and CSQ in my portfolio?

CVTRX and CSQ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CVTRX or CSQ?

CSQ has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to CVTRX (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CVTRX dropped -44.13% vs CSQ's -67.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CVTRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.36), 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.