ITDD vs. CTA
ITDD (Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2040 ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITDD is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ITDD returned 20.04% vs 2.63% for CTA. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. ITDD charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.
Performance
ITDD vs. CTA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ITDD achieves a 8.11% return, which is significantly higher than CTA's 0.24% return.
ITDD
- 1D
- -1.22%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 8.11%
- 6M
- 7.50%
- 1Y
- 20.04%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
CTA
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -12.64%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- -0.16%
- 1Y
- 2.63%
- 3Y*
- 7.91%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ITDD vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ITDD Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2040 ETF | 8.11% | 17.66% | 13.08% | 12.87% |
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 0.24% | 0.88% | 24.15% | -6.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between ITDD and CTA is -0.14, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2023 | -0.12 |
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Return for Risk
ITDD vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank
ITDD
CTA
ITDD vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2040 ETF (ITDD) 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.
| ITDD | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.04 | +0.32 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.66 | 0.15 | +2.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.44 | 0.51 | +10.93 |
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Drawdowns
ITDD vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ITDD drawdown since its inception was -12.46%, smaller than the maximum CTA drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITDD and CTA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ITDD | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.46% | -18.07% | +5.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.56% | -17.75% | +10.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -17.75% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -17.75% | +16.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.25% | -5.77% | +4.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.76% | 5.13% | -3.37% |
Volatility
ITDD vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2040 ETF (ITDD) is 4.07%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 5.30%. This indicates that ITDD 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ITDD | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.07% | 5.30% | -1.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.62% | 17.77% | -9.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.31% | 20.39% | -10.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.56% | 16.62% | -5.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.56% | 16.62% | -5.06% |
ITDD vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
ITDD has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
ITDD vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison
ITDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, less 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% |
ITDD Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2040 ETF | 1.69% | 1.82% | 1.56% | 0.89% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ITDD and CTA have a correlation of -0.14, 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 ITDD (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITDD dropped -12.46% vs CTA's -18.07%.
On 1-year performance, ITDD leads with 20.04% vs 2.63% for CTA. On fees, ITDD is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, ITDD has been the lower-risk option at 4.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ITDD has performed better with a 20.04% return vs 2.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ITDD is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.43%, compared with 1.69% for ITDD.
ITDD is categorized as Target Retirement Date, while CTA is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for ITDD and 0.78% for CTA.
ITDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.13), 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.
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