AKAF vs. HERD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AKAF (The Frontier Economic Fund) and HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) are both Global Equities funds - AKAF tracks the Alaska Last Frontier Index while HERD tracks the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AKAF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for HERD.

Performance

AKAF vs. HERD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AKAF achieves a 13.11% return, which is significantly higher than HERD's 12.44% return.

AKAF

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: 3.08%
• YTD: 13.11%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HERD

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 17.75%
• 5Y*: 10.03%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AKAF vs. HERD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	13.11%	16.79%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	12.44%	13.26%

Correlation

The correlation between AKAF and HERD is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.85

Return for Risk

AKAF vs. HERD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HERD

HERD Risk / Return Rank: 83
HERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
HERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
HERD Omega Ratio Rank: 77
HERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
HERD Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AKAF vs. HERD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AKAF	HERD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.36	0.63	+1.73

Drawdowns

AKAF vs. HERD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AKAF drawdown since its inception was -9.32%, smaller than the maximum HERD drawdown of -39.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AKAF and HERD.

Drawdown Indicators

	AKAF	HERD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-39.41%	+30.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.68%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.90%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.33%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.62%	-4.54%	+2.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.66%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AKAF	HERD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.75%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.74%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.68%	11.61%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.68%	17.76%	-3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.68%	20.49%	-5.81%

AKAF vs. HERD - Expense Ratio Comparison

AKAF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than HERD's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

AKAF vs. HERD - Dividend Comparison

AKAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, less than HERD's 3.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	2.08%	2.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	3.12%	3.75%	2.43%	2.54%	2.50%	2.02%	1.95%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AKAF and HERD in my portfolio?

AKAF and HERD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AKAF or HERD?

On fees, AKAF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AKAF or HERD?

AKAF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AKAF or HERD?

HERD has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 2.08% for AKAF.

What is the main difference between AKAF and HERD?

AKAF tracks Alaska Last Frontier Index, while HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. They also come from different issuers: Prospr Aligned and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for AKAF and 0.73% for HERD.