LITL vs. CTA

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

LITL (Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LITL is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Simplify, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. Over the past year, LITL returned 26.54% vs 1.65% for CTA. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. LITL charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.

Performance

LITL vs. CTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF (LITL) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LITL achieves a 17.72% return, which is significantly higher than CTA's -2.09% return.

LITL

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 9.16%
• YTD: 17.72%
• 6M: 16.76%
• 1Y: 26.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CTA

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -9.73%
• YTD: -2.09%
• 6M: -1.55%
• 1Y: 1.65%
• 3Y*: 6.80%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LITL vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LITL Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF	17.72%	18.93%
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	-2.09%	-0.81%

Correlation

The correlation between LITL and CTA is -0.13, 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	-0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2025	-0.11

Return for Risk

LITL vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank

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

LITL

LITL Risk / Return Rank: 52
LITL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
LITL Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
LITL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
LITL Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
LITL Martin Ratio Rank: 54

CTA

CTA Risk / Return Rank: 10
CTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
CTA Omega Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
CTA Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

LITL vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF (LITL) 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.

	LITL	CTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.08	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	0.24	+1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.03	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	0.08	+2.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.95	0.29	+7.66

LITL vs. CTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITL Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the CTA Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITL and CTA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LITL vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITL drawdown since its inception was -9.32%, smaller than the maximum CTA drawdown of -19.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITL and CTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITL	CTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-19.73%	+10.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-19.73%	+10.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-19.66%	+19.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.28%	-5.84%	+3.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	5.81%	-2.46%

Volatility

LITL vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF (LITL) is 4.21%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that LITL 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.

Volatility by Period

	LITL	CTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	5.21%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	17.83%	-5.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.72%	20.43%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.69%	16.62%	+2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.69%	16.62%	+2.07%

LITL vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITL has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITL vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison

LITL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than CTA's 5.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	5.13%	3.19%	4.80%	7.78%	6.58%
LITL Simplify Piper Sandler US Small-Cap PLUS Income ETF	1.48%	0.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LITL and CTA in my portfolio?

LITL and CTA have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LITL or CTA?

CTA has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to LITL (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITL dropped -9.32% vs CTA's -19.73%.

Which ETF is better, LITL or CTA?

On 1-year performance, LITL leads with 26.54% vs 1.65% for CTA. On fees, CTA is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, LITL has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LITL or CTA?

Over the 1-year period, LITL has performed better with a 26.54% return vs 1.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITL or CTA?

CTA is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for LITL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LITL or CTA?

CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 1.48% for LITL.

What is the main difference between LITL and CTA?

LITL is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CTA is Systematic Trend. Their fees differ too: 0.91% for LITL and 0.78% for CTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LITL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.08), 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.