FTBI vs. CTAP

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FTBI (First Trust Balanced Income ETF) and CTAP (Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTBI charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for CTAP.

Performance

FTBI vs. CTAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) 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, FTBI achieves a 5.81% return, which is significantly lower than CTAP's 8.12% return.

FTBI

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.47%
• 6M: 3.86%
• YTD: 5.81%
• 1Y: 14.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CTAP

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: -2.44%
• 6M: 4.27%
• YTD: 8.12%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTBI vs. CTAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTBI First Trust Balanced Income ETF	5.81%	0.34%
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	8.12%	2.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FTBI and CTAP is 0.28, 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	0.28

Return for Risk

FTBI vs. CTAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTBI

FTBI Risk / Return Rank: 74
FTBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FTBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FTBI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
FTBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
FTBI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FTBI vs. CTAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) 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.

	FTBI	CTAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.73	—	—

Drawdowns

FTBI vs. CTAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTBI drawdown since its inception was -5.34%, smaller than the maximum CTAP drawdown of -20.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTBI and CTAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTBI	CTAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-20.48%	+15.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-15.31%	+14.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.64%	-4.61%	+3.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.22%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTBI	CTAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.09%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.49%	24.35%	-16.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.28%	24.35%	-17.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.28%	24.35%	-17.07%

FTBI vs. CTAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTBI has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than CTAP's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTBI vs. CTAP - Dividend Comparison

FTBI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.07%, more than CTAP's 1.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	1.84%	0.00%
FTBI First Trust Balanced Income ETF	8.07%	4.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTBI and CTAP in my portfolio?

FTBI and CTAP have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTBI 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, FTBI or CTAP?

CTAP is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for FTBI.

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

FTBI has the higher dividend yield at 8.07%, compared with 1.84% for CTAP.

What is the main difference between FTBI and CTAP?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for FTBI and 0.10% for CTAP.