Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend (BDJ) vs Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) has outperformed Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend (BDJ) over the past year, gaining 6.2% versus a gain of 2.4%. Over five years, CSQ leads with a +12.3% price change compared with -7.9% for BDJ. Calamos Strategic Total Return is the larger company by market cap ($3.29 billion vs $1.67 billion), about 2.0 times the size.
On valuation, Calamos Strategic Total Return trades at a lower trailing P/E (3.1x vs 5.7x for Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend). Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend offers the higher dividend yield (7.90% vs 3.00%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BDJ | CSQ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $9.41 | $20.51 |
| Market cap | $1.67B | $3.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.42% | -0.44% |
| YTD return | -0.74% | +6.82% |
| 1-year return | +2.39% | +6.21% |
| 5-year return | -7.93% | +12.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.67 | 3.14 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.66 | $6.53 |
| Dividend yield | 7.90% | 3.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.743 | $0.615 |
| 52-week high | $9.95 | $21.17 |
| 52-week low | $8.42 | $16.41 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.43% | -3.12% |
| Average volume | 436.17K | 185.82K |
| Shares outstanding | 176.94M | 160.37M |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance Companies | Finance Companies |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend trades at a higher earnings multiple (5.7x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
- Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.90% vs 3.00%).
About Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend
BDJ stock →BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc. The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC.
Finance · Finance Companies
About Calamos Strategic Total Return
CSQ stock →Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Calamos Investments LLC. The fund is managed by Calamos Advisors LLC.
Finance · Finance Companies
BDJ vs CSQ FAQ
Which is bigger, Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend or Calamos Strategic Total Return?
Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.29B compared with $1.67B for Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend (BDJ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BDJ or CSQ?
CSQ returned +6.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.39% for BDJ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDJ or CSQ?
CSQ has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 5.7 for BDJ. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend or Calamos Strategic Total Return?
Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend has the higher yield at 7.90%, compared with 3.00% for Calamos Strategic Total Return.
Are Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend and Calamos Strategic Total Return in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance Companies industry within the Finance sector.