21shares Core Ethereum ETF (CETH) Performance
CETH total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 22, 2026- YTD
- +26.6% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +49.7% total return
- 5 years
- −7.3% a year
- 10 years
- −9.8% a year
- Since first price
- −7.1% a year since 2005
CETH trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | CETH total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +19.0% | +19.0% | −1.2% | −5.8% | +0.2% |
| 3 months | +4.2% | +4.2% | +2.5% | −0.0% | −0.5% |
| 6 months | +16.6% | +8.7% | +8.0% | +7.8% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +26.6% | −3.8% | +12.9% | +15.1% | −0.8% |
| 1 year | +49.7% | +13.6% | +15.6% | +16.9% | −1.2% |
| 3 years | +31.7%+9.6%/yr | 0.0% | +88.1%+23.4%/yr | +102.1%+26.4%/yr | +17.2%+5.4%/yr |
| 5 years | −31.4%−7.3%/yr | −47.9% | +80.3%+12.5%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.6%−0.1%/yr |
| 10 years | −64.2%−9.8%/yr | −72.8% | +318.1%+15.4%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.2%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | −65.7%−6.9%/yr | −74.0% | +700.2%+14.9%/yr | +1,299.5%+19.2%/yr | +32.4%+1.9%/yr |
| 20 years | −74.3%−6.6%/yr | −80.5% | +704.7%+11.0%/yr | +1,860.0%+16.0%/yr | +79.4%+3.0%/yr |
| Since inceptionJan 19, 2005 | −79.9%−7.1%/yr | −84.8% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: CETH vs SPY
From Jan 19, 2005: CETH grew to $2,008, SPY to $95,508.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
CETH returns by calendar year
10 of 20 full years positive. Best 2006 (+116.9%), worst 2021 (−78.4%). 2026 is year to date.
CETH annual returns table
| Year | CETH | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +26.6% | −34.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +4.0% | −46.5% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −10.7% | −31.3% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +27.3% | −30.0% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 0.0% | −56.8% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −78.4% | −96.4% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +78.9% | −40.0% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | −10.9% | −22.8% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −25.6% | −39.4% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +3.6% | −23.6% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +2.5% | −18.0% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −19.0% | −40.9% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +2.0% | −30.1% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −2.0% | −15.6% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +6.4% | −16.3% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −14.6% | −22.5% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +7.9% | −23.3% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +17.2% | −33.7% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −37.8% | −58.3% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | −9.1% | −58.0% | +5.1% | +19.0% | +6.6% |
| 2006 | +116.9% | −22.1% | +15.8% | +7.1% | +3.9% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
CETH largest drawdowns
Now 94.3% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 2021 | −97.4% | Aug 27, 2025 | not yet | 4.4 years | 5.6 years so far |
| Jul 13, 2007 | −87.0% | Mar 26, 2020 | Feb 23, 2021 | 12.7 years | 13.6 years |
| Jan 19, 2005 | −59.8% | Sep 26, 2005 | Nov 13, 2006 | 8 months | 1.8 years |
| Feb 23, 2007 | −20.1% | Mar 5, 2007 | Mar 30, 2007 | 10 days | 35 days |
| Mar 5, 2021 | −20.0% | Mar 8, 2021 | Mar 15, 2021 | 3 days | 10 days |
| Jan 10, 2007 | −12.1% | Jan 25, 2007 | Feb 16, 2007 | 15 days | 37 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
CETH risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +9.6% | −12.6% | −7.9% | −5.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 86.1% | 78.7% | 79.8% | 60.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.39 | 0.14 | 0.27 | — |
| Sortino ratio | 0.90 | 0.24 | 0.49 | — |
| Best month | +80.1% | +80.1% | +98.0% | +98.0% |
| Worst month | −25.0% | −47.7% | −80.7% | −80.7% |
| Best 12 months | +128.5% | +128.5% | +937.0% | +937.0% |
| Worst 12 months | −42.4% | −70.7% | −94.1% | −94.1% |
| Positive months | 39% | 38% | 40% | 43% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | -1.00 | -0.76 | -0.03 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | -0.14 | -0.15 | -0.01 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
CETH rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 250 | −94.1% | −2.1% | +937.0% | 40% |
| 3-year (a year) | 226 | −64.5% | −4.5% | +94.6% | 28% |
| 5-year (a year) | 202 | −41.2% | −5.9% | +46.1% | 22% |
| 10-year (a year) | 142 | −15.4% | −6.3% | +18.8% | 17% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2005. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
CETH performance overview
21shares Core Ethereum ETF (CETH) returned +49.7% over the past year and −9.8% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2005 it has returned −7.1% a year, turning $10,000 into about $2,008. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +15.6%.
The deepest decline was −97.4%, from Mar 26, 2021 to Aug 27, 2025; the fund has not yet regained that high. CETH finished 10 of its 20 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2006 (+116.9%) and the worst 2021 (−78.4%). Volatility has been 60.2% a year.
Related: CETH chart, CETH dividends. See the CETH overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
CETH performance FAQ
What is the CETH return over the past year?
CETH returned +49.7% over the 12 months to October 22, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 13.6%.
What is the average annual return of CETH?
CETH has returned −7.3% a year over 5 years, −9.8% a year over 10 years, −7.1% a year since January 19, 2005 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in CETH be worth?
$10,000 invested in CETH at its first recorded close on January 19, 2005 would be worth about $2,008 on October 22, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for CETH?
The worst calendar year was 2021, with a total return of −78.4%. The best was 2006 at +116.9%.
What is the biggest drawdown of CETH?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −97.4% between March 26, 2021 and August 27, 2025. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 94.3% below its peak.
How volatile is CETH?
Over the past 3 years CETH had an annualized volatility of 86.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.39 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).