PINK vs. CTA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PINK (Simplify Health Care ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PINK is a Health & Biotech Equities 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, PINK returned 14.42%/yr vs 11.79%/yr for CTA. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. PINK charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.

Performance

PINK vs. CTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK) 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, PINK achieves a 2.39% return, which is significantly lower than CTA's 12.30% return.

PINK

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 7.28%
• YTD: 2.39%
• 6M: 2.11%
• 1Y: 31.27%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CTA

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -7.86%
• YTD: 12.30%
• 6M: 13.80%
• 1Y: 15.57%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PINK vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
PINK Simplify Health Care ETF	2.39%	24.34%	8.81%	3.80%	5.77%
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	12.30%	0.88%	24.15%	-2.23%	9.55%

Correlation

The correlation between PINK and CTA is -0.18, 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	-0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2022	-0.14

PINK vs. CTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PINK	CTA
Healthcare	93.1%	-
Industrials	6.9%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	-49.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PINK vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PINK

PINK Risk / Return Rank: 44
PINK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PINK Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
PINK Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PINK Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PINK Martin Ratio Rank: 36

CTA

CTA Risk / Return Rank: 24
CTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
CTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
CTA Omega Ratio Rank: 22
CTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
CTA Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

PINK vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK) 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.

	PINK	CTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	0.78	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	1.12	+1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.15	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	1.42	+0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	3.72	+1.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PINK vs. CTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PINK Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the CTA Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PINK 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PINK	CTA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	0.78	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.62	-0.06

Drawdowns

PINK vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PINK drawdown since its inception was -18.77%, roughly equal to the maximum CTA drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PINK and CTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PINK	CTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.77%	-18.07%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.81%	-11.00%	-5.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.77%	-11.23%	-7.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.84%	-7.86%	+5.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.75%	-5.67%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.57%	4.19%	+1.38%

Volatility

PINK vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK) is 4.36%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 7.76%. This indicates that PINK 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

	PINK	CTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.36%	7.76%	-3.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.44%	17.30%	-3.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	20.12%	-1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.57%	16.58%	+0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.57%	16.58%	+0.99%

PINK vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PINK has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

PINK vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison

PINK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than CTA's 4.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	4.85%	3.19%	4.80%	7.78%	6.58%	0.00%
PINK Simplify Health Care ETF	0.67%	0.68%	0.32%	0.94%	0.42%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PINK and CTA in my portfolio?

PINK and CTA have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PINK or CTA?

CTA has higher volatility (7.76%) compared to PINK (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PINK dropped -18.77% vs CTA's -18.07%.

Which ETF is better, PINK or CTA?

On 3-year performance, PINK leads with 14.42% vs 11.79% for CTA. On fees, PINK is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PINK has been the lower-risk option at 4.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PINK or CTA?

Over the 3-year period, PINK has performed better with a 14.42% return vs 11.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PINK or CTA?

PINK is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.

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

CTA has the higher dividend yield at 4.85%, compared with 0.67% for PINK.

What is the main difference between PINK and CTA?

PINK is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while CTA is Systematic Trend. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PINK and 0.78% for CTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PINK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.78), 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.