HIGH vs. CTA
HIGH (Simplify Enhanced Income ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIGH is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, HIGH returned 2.72%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for CTA. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIGH charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.
Performance
HIGH vs. CTA - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HIGH achieves a -0.79% return, which is significantly lower than CTA's 0.24% return.
HIGH
- 1D
- -0.82%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- -0.79%
- 6M
- -1.67%
- 1Y
- -1.43%
- 3Y*
- 2.72%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
CTA
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -12.64%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- -0.16%
- 1Y
- 2.63%
- 3Y*
- 7.91%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
HIGH vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF | -0.79% | 4.35% | 1.52% | 7.70% | 0.47% |
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 0.24% | 0.88% | 24.15% | -2.23% | -6.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between HIGH and CTA is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022 | 0.01 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HIGH vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank
HIGH
CTA
HIGH vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). 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.
| HIGH | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 1.04 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.15 | 0.15 | -0.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.21 | 0.51 | -0.73 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
HIGH vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HIGH drawdown since its inception was -9.50%, smaller than the maximum CTA drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIGH and CTA.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HIGH | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.50% | -18.07% | +8.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.50% | -17.75% | +8.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.50% | -17.75% | +8.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.50% | -17.75% | +10.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.44% | -5.77% | +3.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.73% | 5.13% | +1.60% |
Volatility
HIGH vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) is 1.91%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 5.30%. This indicates that HIGH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HIGH | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.91% | 5.30% | -3.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.81% | 17.77% | -13.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.79% | 20.39% | -11.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.53% | 16.62% | -7.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.53% | 16.62% | -7.09% |
HIGH vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
HIGH has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
HIGH vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison
HIGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.36%, more than CTA's 5.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.43% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% |
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF | 7.36% | 7.71% | 8.34% | 9.40% | 0.62% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HIGH and CTA have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CTA has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to HIGH (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIGH dropped -9.50% vs CTA's -18.07%.
On 3-year performance, CTA leads with 7.91% vs 2.72% for HIGH. On fees, HIGH is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, HIGH has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, CTA has performed better with a 7.91% return vs 2.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HIGH is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
HIGH has the higher dividend yield at 7.36%, compared with 5.43% for CTA.
HIGH is categorized as Derivative Income, while CTA is Systematic Trend. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for HIGH and 0.78% for CTA.
CTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.13 vs -0.16), 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.
Find the right allocation for HIGH and CTA
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer