EFIV vs. CPST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFIV (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF) and CPST (Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September) are both exchange-traded funds - EFIV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 ESG Index, while CPST is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EFIV returned 30.49% vs 7.61% for CPST. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EFIV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for CPST.

Performance

EFIV vs. CPST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF (EFIV) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFIV achieves a 9.91% return, which is significantly higher than CPST's 2.67% return.

EFIV

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 4.63%
• YTD: 9.91%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 30.49%
• 3Y*: 21.82%
• 5Y*: 14.48%
• 10Y*: —

CPST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 7.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EFIV vs. CPST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EFIV State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF	9.91%	18.47%	5.89%
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	2.67%	6.73%	2.30%

Correlation

The correlation between EFIV and CPST is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2024	0.81

The correlation between EFIV and CPST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EFIV vs. CPST — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFIV

EFIV Risk / Return Rank: 76
EFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
EFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
EFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
EFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 77

CPST

CPST Risk / Return Rank: 94
CPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CPST Omega Ratio Rank: 96
CPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CPST Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

EFIV vs. CPST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF (EFIV) and Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST). 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.

	EFIV	CPST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	3.56	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	5.91	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.82	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	5.38	-2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	28.97	-13.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFIV vs. CPST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFIV Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is comparable to the CPST Sharpe Ratio of 3.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFIV and CPST, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EFIV	CPST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	3.56	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	2.02	-0.96

Drawdowns

EFIV vs. CPST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFIV drawdown since its inception was -24.52%, which is greater than CPST's maximum drawdown of -3.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFIV and CPST.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFIV	CPST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.52%	-3.79%	-20.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.44%	-1.42%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	0.00%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-0.35%	-4.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	0.26%	+1.78%

Volatility

EFIV vs. CPST - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF (EFIV) has a higher volatility of 3.14% compared to Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September (CPST) at 0.30%. This indicates that EFIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFIV	CPST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	0.30%	+2.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	1.60%	+7.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.79%	2.15%	+9.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	3.37%	+13.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	3.37%	+13.46%

EFIV vs. CPST - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFIV has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than CPST's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFIV vs. CPST - Dividend Comparison

EFIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, while CPST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CPST Calamos S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EFIV State Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF	0.94%	1.03%	1.20%	1.37%	1.64%	1.19%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFIV and CPST in my portfolio?

EFIV and CPST have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFIV or CPST?

EFIV has higher volatility (3.14%) compared to CPST (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFIV dropped -24.52% vs CPST's -3.79%.

Which ETF is better, EFIV or CPST?

On 1-year performance, EFIV leads with 30.49% vs 7.61% for CPST. On fees, EFIV is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, CPST has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFIV or CPST?

Over the 1-year period, EFIV has performed better with a 30.49% return vs 7.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFIV or CPST?

EFIV is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for CPST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFIV or CPST?

EFIV has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.00% for CPST.

What is the main difference between EFIV and CPST?

EFIV is categorized as S&P 500, while CPST is Defined Outcome. EFIV tracks S&P 500 ESG Index, while CPST tracks MerQube Cap Protect US Lrg Cap PR Index - Sep. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Calamos. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for EFIV and 0.69% for CPST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.56 vs 2.60), 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.