BEARX vs. ISCAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

BEARX (Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd) and ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) are both mutual funds - BEARX is a Inverse Equities fund managed by Federated, while ISCAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Federated. Over the past 10 years, BEARX returned -14.57%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for ISCAX. At a correlation of -0.54, they often move in opposite directions. BEARX charges 1.78%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ISCAX.

Performance

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BEARX achieves a -6.07% return, which is significantly lower than ISCAX's 7.20% return. Over the past 10 years, BEARX has underperformed ISCAX with an annualized return of -14.57%, while ISCAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.50% annualized return.

BEARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.59%
• YTD: -6.07%
• 6M: -5.46%
• 1Y: -14.79%
• 3Y*: -15.31%
• 5Y*: -11.45%
• 10Y*: -14.57%

ISCAX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -4.44%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 6.80%
• 1Y: 14.94%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BEARX Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd	-6.07%	-12.42%	-20.34%	-18.67%	17.78%	-23.78%	-22.95%	-19.95%	-5.96%	-15.76%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	7.20%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-18.88%	34.73%

Correlation

The correlation between BEARX and ISCAX is -0.45, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 1996	-0.54

The correlation between BEARX and ISCAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.69 (10 years) to -0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BEARX vs. ISCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BEARX

BEARX Risk / Return Rank: 0
BEARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Omega Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
BEARX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 26
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BEARX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.26	1.14	-2.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.83	1.73	-3.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.21	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.87	1.56	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.64	5.98	-7.62

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEARX Sharpe Ratio is -1.26, which is lower than the ISCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEARX and ISCAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEARX drawdown since its inception was -95.75%, which is greater than ISCAX's maximum drawdown of -71.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEARX and ISCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEARX	ISCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.75%	-71.55%	-24.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.71%	-11.91%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.46%	-13.90%	-30.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.48%	-40.33%	-12.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.15%	-40.33%	-39.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.59%	-4.99%	-90.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-61.10%	-22.19%	-38.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.22%	2.83%	+7.39%

Volatility

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd (BEARX) is 5.53%, while Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) has a volatility of 6.23%. This indicates that BEARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BEARX	ISCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	6.23%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	13.43%	-3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.34%	16.43%	-4.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	17.64%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.71%	17.28%	-0.57%

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEARX has a 1.78% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEARX vs. ISCAX - Dividend Comparison

BEARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, more than ISCAX's 6.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BEARX Federated Hermes Prudent Bear Fd	7.15%	6.71%	0.00%	13.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.95%	7.45%	0.00%	0.84%	0.79%	7.79%	5.80%	4.89%	15.53%	6.51%	0.92%	12.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEARX and ISCAX in my portfolio?

BEARX and ISCAX have a correlation of -0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BEARX or ISCAX?

ISCAX has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to BEARX (5.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEARX dropped -95.75% vs ISCAX's -71.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs -1.26), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.