CPSL vs QQQ
Calamos Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CPSL or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CPSL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $148M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 14 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +3.72% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.52% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.7%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $11,300 | $15,954Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 83.3% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 9, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2 years).
CPSL vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2 years both funds cover.
CPSL vs QQQ Performance
Calamos Laddered S&P 500 Structured Alt Protection ETF (CPSL) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CPSL returned +5.52% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, CPSL is up 3.72% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 2.4% for CPSL. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -3.7% for CPSL and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CPSL charges 0.79% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $18 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CPSL currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in CPSL and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 12 positions we hold weights for in CPSL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 14 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CPSL (97.5% of the fund), and 12 for CPSL that do not appear in QQQ (99.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CPSL and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CPSL or QQQ?
CPSL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CPSL or QQQ?
Over the past year CPSL returned +5.52% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), CPSL annualized +6.30% vs +26.31% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CPSL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 2.4% for CPSL. Worst drawdown: CPSL -3.7% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both CPSL and QQQ?
CPSL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CPSL or QQQ?
CPSL yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CPSL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.