CSQ (Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund) Moat Score: 3/10 (As of Jun. 26, 2026)


CSQ Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund CSQ
29 GF Score
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! 6 Warning Signs
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What is Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund Moat Score?

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund CSQ -0.60% 29 Moat Score is 3 as of Jun. 26, 2026. GuruFocus rates CSQ with a GF Score™ of 29/100. The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,698 Asset Management companies, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ranks better than 90.69% on this metric.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has the Moat Score of 3, which implies that the company might have No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has No Moat: Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has limited differentiation in the asset management space. It lacks significant customer switching costs, proprietary technology, or strong brand loyalty, resulting in transient advantages in a competitive market.

Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more.

The company's Moat Score is based on these criteria:

1. Market leadership and sustainable market share
2. Network effects and significant customer switching costs
3. Valuable intellectual property and patents
4. Strong brand strength and deep customer loyalty
5. Durable cost advantages (e.g., economies of scale, proprietary technology)
6. Significant regulatory barriers and exclusive licenses
7. Superior distribution network
8. Strong and sustainable pricing power
9. Consistent and impactful innovation and R&D capabilities

Based on the research, GuruFocus believes Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund might have No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund  (NAS:CSQ) Moat Score Explanation

The Moat Score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 as the highest. GuruFocus divided Moat Score into following 8 categories:

Moat Score Moat Level
10Wide Moat - Exceptionally dominant and durable wide moat
8 - 9Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat
7Wide Moat - Entry-level wide moat, clearly possessing durable advantages
6Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide
5Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat
4Narrow Moat - Discernible but modest moat
1 - 3No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages
0No Moat - No discernible moat

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund Moat Score Related Terms

CSQ vs GBDC, NEA, AB: Moat Score Comparison

For the Asset Management subindustry, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's Moat Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Moat Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund Moat Score vs Asset Management Industry

For the Asset Management industry and Financial Services sector, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's Moat Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's Moat Score falls into.


CSQ
29GF Score
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund CSQ
Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Moat Score →
What does a Moat Score of 3 mean?
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) has a Moat Score of 3 as of Jun. 26, 2026. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. According to the industry distribution chart, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ranks #158 out of 1698 companies in the Asset Management industry, placing it in the top 9.3%.
Is Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's Moat Score too high?
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's current Moat Score is 3. Based on the distribution chart, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ranks #158 out of 1698 companies in the Asset Management industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund has a GF Score™ of 29/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's Moat Score compare to GBDC and NEA?
According to the Asset Management industry distribution chart, Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ranks #158 out of 1698 companies for Moat Score. This places Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund in the top 9% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Moat Score for an Asset Management company?
A good Moat Score depends on the Asset Management industry context. However, Moat Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Moat Score mean?
A high Moat Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more. Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's current Moat Score is 3. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund stock overvalued right now?
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) has a current Moat Score of 3. The current Moat Score is 3. Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund's overall GF Score™ is 29/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Moat Score calculated?
Moat Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ), the current Moat Score is 3 as of Jun. 26, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund Business Description

Address 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL, USA, 60563-2787
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The fund's objective is to provide total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. Its investment portfolio comprises equities, convertible securities, and high-yield corporate bonds.
29GF Score

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Moat Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

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