HISF vs. CTAP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and CTAP (Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. HISF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for CTAP.

Performance

HISF vs. CTAP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) 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, HISF achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than CTAP's 22.34% return.

HISF

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CTAP

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -1.60%
• YTD: 22.34%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HISF vs. CTAP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.24%	0.65%
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	22.34%	2.44%

Correlation

The correlation between HISF and CTAP is -0.03, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025	-0.03

Return for Risk

HISF vs. CTAP — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 49
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

HISF vs. CTAP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) 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.

	HISF	CTAP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.30	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HISF	CTAP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	2.56	-1.23

Drawdowns

HISF vs. CTAP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HISF drawdown since its inception was -3.86%, smaller than the maximum CTAP drawdown of -9.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISF and CTAP.

Drawdown Indicators

	HISF	CTAP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.86%	-9.02%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-4.16%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-2.16%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HISF	CTAP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.62%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32%	24.03%	-20.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.95%	24.03%	-20.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.95%	24.03%	-20.08%

HISF vs. CTAP - Expense Ratio Comparison

HISF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than CTAP's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

HISF vs. CTAP - Dividend Comparison

HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, more than CTAP's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CTAP Simplify US Equity PLUS Managed Futures Strategy ETF	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	4.99%	4.69%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HISF and CTAP in my portfolio?

HISF and CTAP have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HISF 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, HISF or CTAP?

CTAP is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.

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

HISF has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 0.64% for CTAP.

What is the main difference between HISF and CTAP?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for HISF and 0.10% for CTAP.