IALT vs. CTA
IALT (iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IALT is a Multistrategy fund actively managed by iShares, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. IALT charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.
Performance
IALT vs. CTA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IALT achieves a 13.61% return, which is significantly higher than CTA's 2.94% return.
IALT
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 2.17%
- 6M
- 10.96%
- YTD
- 13.61%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
CTA
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 6.16%
- 6M
- -0.31%
- YTD
- 2.94%
- 1Y
- 7.76%
- 3Y*
- 8.35%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 7.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $11.61M | $12.21M | $14.75M | |
| $39.70M | $35.42M | $112.35M |
IALT vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 13.61% | 0.83% |
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 2.94% | 2.55% |
Correlation
The correlation between IALT and CTA is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025 | -0.01 |
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Return for Risk
IALT vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank
IALT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
CTA
IALT vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) 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.
| IALT | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.05 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.20 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 0.53 | — |
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Drawdowns
IALT vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IALT drawdown since its inception was -2.27%, smaller than the maximum CTA drawdown of -20.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IALT and CTA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IALT | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.27% | -20.44% | +18.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -20.44% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -20.44% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.76% | -15.54% | +14.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.49% | -6.06% | +5.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 7.61% | — |
Volatility
IALT vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| IALT | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 8.38% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 19.10% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.03% | 21.74% | -13.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.03% | 16.92% | -8.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.03% | 16.92% | -8.89% |
IALT vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
IALT has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
IALT vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison
IALT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than CTA's 5.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 5.38% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% |
IALT iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF | 0.40% | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IALT and CTA have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, CTA is cheaper at 0.78% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
CTA is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for IALT.
CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.38%, compared with 0.40% for IALT.
IALT is categorized as Multistrategy, while CTA is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for IALT and 0.78% for CTA.
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