ETF Evaluator:
Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF ()
Follow This ETF
(as of Aug 26)
Best Performing in Systematic Trend Over the Last Year
| 35.2% | American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) |
| 31.5% | Cambria Chesapeake Pure Trend ETF (MFUT) |
| 28.1% | Blueprint Chesapeake Multi-Asst Trnd ETF (TFPN) |
| 27.5% | iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF) |
| 22.1% | Fidelity Managed Futures ETF (FFUT) |
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ETF Details
Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF Overview
Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF (SDMF) is a passively managed Alternative Systematic Trend exchange-traded fund (ETF). Simplify Asset Management launched the ETF in 2026.
The investment seeks long-term capital appreciation.
The fund is a passively managed fund. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in instruments that, in total, have rate of return characteristics that are the economic equivalent of an investment in the components of the DBi CTA MF Index. The DBi CTA MF Index (“Index”) is a rules-based index that seeks to represent managed futures investment strategies. The fund is non-diversified.
About Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF (SDMF)
There are 3 members of the management team with an average tenure of 0.45 years: Paisley Nardini (2026), Ken Miller (2026) and David Berns (2026). Management tenure is more important for actively managed ETFs than passive index ETFs.
The ETF has 1 primary benchmark: DBi CTA MF TR USD index with a weighting of 100%. Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has 63 securities in its portfolio. The top 10 holdings constitute 864.2% of the ETF’s assets. The ETF meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a nondiversified fund. The ETF is not considered to have an ESG focus with its investment selection and management.
Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF is part of the Alternative Strategies global asset class and is within the Alternative ETF group. Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has 136.9% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues. The overall assets allocated to domestic stock is 1.6% There is 136.9% allocated to foreign stock, and 0.0% is allocated to preferred stocks. The bond allocation as a percentage of total assets is -183.5% (-183.5% domestic bond, 0.0% foreign bond and 0.0% convertible bond). Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has 101.8% of the portfolio in cash.
Assets Under Management
The fund has $35 million in total assets, which is below the $487 million average for the Systematic Trend category. Normally, lower assets under management translates to higher average expense ratios, and greater total assets are desired. However, for some investment categories, such as small-cap investing, it may be difficult for the manager to fully employ the desired active strategy if assets grow too large or too quickly.
SDMF Performance and Fees
The expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for administrative expenses and operating expenses, including adviser fees and fees for the transfer agent and custodial services. The Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF expense ratio is below average compared to funds in the Systematic Trend category. Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has an expense ratio of 0.35%, which is 58% lower than its category average, making the fund expense ratio grade a A. While it is difficult to predict returns, it is known that high annual expense ratios reduce your rate of return, and excessive fees are difficult to overcome. Active management normally comes with higher expense ratios than passive index management. Certain investment categories such as small company and foreign also normally have higher expense ratios. It is best to compare fund expense ratios against the category averages for meaningful assessments.
High portfolio turnover can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 0%, which indicates that it holds its assets around /years. By way of comparison, the average portfolio turnover is 57% for the Systematic Trend category.
Recently, in the month of July 2026, Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF returned 0.9%, which earned it a grade of C, as the Systematic Trend category had an average return of 1.4%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D and F are based upon relative rankings within the investment category. A grade of A, for example, would indicate that the return is in the highest 20% for that time period compared to all ETFs in that category.
Simplify DBI CTA Managed Futs Idx ETF has a trailing yield of 0.00%, which is below the 2.42% category average.
The fund normally distributes its income quarterly and its capital gains annually.
It’s natural to seek the best-performing investments, but you must consider the relationship between risk and return and the impact of costs and taxes on your realized returns.
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SDMF Trailing NAV Total Returns Data as of 7/31/26
| Last Month |
Last Quarter |
Ann'l. 1Yr |
Ann'l. 3Yr |
Ann'l. 5Yr |
Ann'l. 10Yr |
|
| SDMF Return (NAV) | 0.9% | 1.3% | na | na | na | na |
| SDMF Return (Price) | 1.6% | 1.3% | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Return | -0.721% | 0.008% | na | na | na | na |
| Systematic Trend Avg | 1.4% | -1.4% | 20.5% | 6.5% | 6.1% | 3.0% |
| SDMF Grade (NAV) | C | A | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category (NAV) | -0.5% | 2.7% | na | na | na | na |
| SDMF Tax-Cost Ratio | na | na | na | na | na | na |
SDMF Annual NAV Total ReturnsData as of 7/31/26
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| SDMF Return (NAV) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| SDMF Return (Price) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Ret | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Systematic Trend Avg | 9.5% | 5.1% | 7.3% | -0.4% | 13.3% | 7.6% | 2.4% | -3.6% | -1.4% | -0.7% | -2.6% |
| SDMF Grade (NAV) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Risk Measures | |
| Beta: | na |
| R-Squared: | na |
| Standard Deviation: | na |
| Category Risk Index: | na |
| Category Risk Rating: | |
| Total Risk Index: | na |
| Total Risk Rating: | |
| Portfolio Characteristics | |
| Yield: | -- |
| Total Assets: | $ 36 Mil |
| Share Class Assets: | $ 36 Mil |
| Turnover: | na |
| Expense Ratio: | 0.35% |
| Index Fund: | Yes |
| Index Tracked: | DBi CTA MF TR USD |
| Index Weighting: | 100% |
| Leveraged: | No |
| Socially Responsible Fund: | No |
| Capital Gains Distribution Frequency: | Annually |
| Income Distribution Frequency: | Quarterly |
Management Team
| Number of Managers: 3 | |||
| Longest Tenure: 0.5 years | |||
| Average Tenure: 0.5 years | |||
| Managers (Year): Nardini Paisley (2026), Miller Ken (2026), Berns David (2026) | |||
Portfolio Composition (as of 5/29/26)
| # of Holdings: | 63 |
| % in Top 10 Holdings: | 864.2% |
| Fund is Non-Diversified: | Yes |
| % in Foreign Issues: | 136.9% |
Portfolio Allocation |
|
| Domestic Stock: | 1.6% |
| Foreign Stock: | 136.9% |
| Preferred Stock: | 0.0% |
| Domestic Bond: | -183.5% |
| Foreign Bond: | 0.0% |
| Convertible Bond: | 0.0% |
| Other: | 43.2% |
| Cash: | 101.8% |
Purchase Information
| Legal Structure: | Open Ended Investment Company |
| Fund Family: | Simplify Asset Management |
| Phone Number: | 855-772-8488 |
| Website: | |
| Inception Date: | February 17, 2026 |
Expenses and Fees
| Expense Ratio (%): | 0.35% (Rating: Below Avg) |
| Category Average Expense Ratio (%): | 0.83% |
