FCEF vs. CTAP

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FCEF (First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF) and CTAP (Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCEF charges 2.91%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for CTAP.

Performance

FCEF vs. CTAP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCEF achieves a 6.36% return, which is significantly higher than CTAP's 5.23% return.

FCEF

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 7.05%
• 1Y: 15.24%
• 3Y*: 15.43%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: —

CTAP

• 1D: -2.94%
• 1M: -14.89%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 3.79%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FCEF vs. CTAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.36%	0.85%
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	5.23%	2.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FCEF and CTAP is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

FCEF vs. CTAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCEF

FCEF Risk / Return Rank: 60
FCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
FCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 58

CTAP

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

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.

FCEF vs. CTAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FCEF	CTAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.66	—	—

Drawdowns

FCEF vs. CTAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCEF drawdown since its inception was -44.81%, which is greater than CTAP's maximum drawdown of -17.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCEF and CTAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCEF	CTAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.81%	-17.57%	-27.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.39%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-17.57%	+16.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.25%	-3.10%	-3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FCEF	CTAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.37%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.81%	24.63%	-16.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.20%	24.63%	-12.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.39%	24.63%	-9.24%

FCEF vs. CTAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCEF has a 2.91% expense ratio, which is higher than CTAP's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCEF vs. CTAP - Dividend Comparison

FCEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.91%, more than CTAP's 0.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.91%	7.05%	7.13%	7.17%	7.26%	4.74%	5.03%	5.07%	5.96%	4.90%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCEF and CTAP in my portfolio?

FCEF and CTAP have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FCEF or CTAP?

On fees, CTAP is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCEF or CTAP?

CTAP is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 2.91% for FCEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCEF or CTAP?

FCEF has the higher dividend yield at 6.91%, compared with 0.75% for CTAP.

What is the main difference between FCEF and CTAP?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 2.91% for FCEF and 0.10% for CTAP.