CTA vs FMF
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF compared with First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
CTA
Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
FMF
First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- CTA yields more today: 4.84% vs 1.79% (forward).
- CTA has grown its payout faster: 40.6%/yr vs -18.6%/yr over the last 3 years.
- CTA pays every month; FMF pays every quarter.
- Over the last year CTA delivered the higher total return: +15.0% vs +7.9% (price change plus payouts).
- CTA is cheaper to own: 0.75% vs 0.98% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | CTA | FMF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.77 | $51.90 |
| TTM yield | 4.52% | 1.25% |
| Forward yield | 4.84% | 1.79% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.49 | $0.928 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 25, 2026 (est.) | Dec 24, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.75% | 0.98% |
| 1-year payout growth | +143.9% | -18.5% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | +147.4% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 1 year |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 82/100 | 75/100 |
| 1-year total return | +15.0% | +7.9% |
| 1-year price return | +10.0% | +6.6% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 1.3B | 287.7M |
| Years paying | 4.2 | 12.8 |
| Sector / category | Systematic Trend | Systematic Trend |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| CTA | FMF | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 325.0 | 192.7 |
| Income per year | $484 | $179 |
| Income per month (avg) | $40 | $15 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA Oct 25, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | $0.1242 | Est. |
| CTA Nov 24, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | $0.1242 | Est. |
| CTA Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $0.1242 | Est. |
| FMF Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $0.232 | Est. |
| FMF Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $0.232 | Est. |
| FMF Jun 24, 2027 | Jul 8, 2027 | $0.232 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
CTAFMF
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, CTA or FMF?
CTA currently has the higher trailing yield: CTA yields 4.52% and FMF yields 1.25%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do CTA and FMF pay?
CTA pays every month and FMF pays every quarter. CTA's next ex-date is Oct 25, 2026 and FMF's is Dec 24, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, CTA or FMF?
CTA has grown its payout faster: 40.6%/yr vs -18.6%/yr over the last 3 years.
Is CTA or FMF better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. CTA and FMF differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.