Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) vs Tri Continental (TY)
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 Tri Continental (TY) over the past year, gaining 6.2% versus a gain of 1.2%. Over five years, CSQ leads with a +12.3% price change compared with +0.0% for TY. Calamos Strategic Total Return is the larger company by market cap ($3.28 billion vs $1.84 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Calamos Strategic Total Return trades at a lower trailing P/E (3.1x vs 5.4x for Tri Continental). Tri Continental offers the higher dividend yield (3.21% vs 3.01%).
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 | CSQ | TY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.43 | $34.47 |
| Market cap | $3.28B | $1.84B |
| 1-day change | -0.39% | -0.14% |
| YTD return | +6.82% | +5.70% |
| 1-year return | +6.21% | +1.20% |
| 5-year return | +12.26% | +0.03% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 3.13 | 5.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.53 | $6.35 |
| Dividend yield | 3.01% | 3.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.615 | $1.11 |
| 52-week high | $21.17 | $36.55 |
| 52-week low | $16.41 | $30.53 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.50% | -5.69% |
| Analyst consensus | — | none |
| Average volume | 186.29K | 31.86K |
| Shares outstanding | 160.37M | 53.42M |
| 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
- Tri Continental trades at a higher earnings multiple (5.4x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
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
About Tri Continental
TY stock →Tri-Continental Corporation is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. It primarily invests in the public equity markets of the United States.
Finance · Finance Companies
CSQ vs TY FAQ
Which is bigger, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Tri Continental?
Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.28B compared with $1.84B for Tri Continental (TY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSQ or TY?
CSQ returned +6.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.20% for TY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSQ or TY?
CSQ has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 5.4 for TY. 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, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Tri Continental?
Tri Continental has the higher yield at 3.21%, compared with 3.01% for Calamos Strategic Total Return.
Are Calamos Strategic Total Return and Tri Continental in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance Companies industry within the Finance sector.