BLES vs. HERD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BLES (Inspire Global Hope ETF) and HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) are both Global Equities funds - BLES tracks the Inspire Global Hope Large Cap Equal Weight Index while HERD tracks the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BLES returned 7.38%/yr vs 9.95%/yr for HERD. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BLES charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for HERD.

Performance

BLES vs. HERD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BLES having a 11.95% return and HERD slightly higher at 12.05%.

BLES

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 11.95%
• 6M: 12.47%
• 1Y: 23.80%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 7.38%
• 10Y*: —

HERD

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 6M: 12.85%
• 1Y: 29.32%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 9.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

BLES vs. HERD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BLES Inspire Global Hope ETF	11.95%	19.25%	5.59%	16.47%	-16.21%	24.36%	12.22%	11.07%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	12.05%	19.07%	2.91%	20.72%	-6.96%	28.58%	10.71%	7.36%

Correlation

The correlation between BLES and HERD is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2019	0.71

The correlation between BLES and HERD shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.87 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BLES vs. HERD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BLES	HERD
Industrials	16.3%	13.4%
Technology	15.6%	18.0%
Financial Services	10.3%	0.0%
Basic Materials	7.8%	4.7%
Real Estate	6.9%	0.3%
Healthcare	5.8%	14.7%
Energy	5.8%	15.9%
Utilities	5.5%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	15.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	8.2%
Communication Services	1.0%	8.3%

Return for Risk

BLES vs. HERD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLES

BLES Risk / Return Rank: 57
BLES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BLES Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
BLES Omega Ratio Rank: 54
BLES Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
BLES Martin Ratio Rank: 61

HERD

HERD Risk / Return Rank: 81
HERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
HERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
HERD Omega Ratio Rank: 75
HERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
HERD Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

BLES vs. HERD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES) 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.

	BLES	HERD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	2.54	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.56	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.45	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	5.19	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.93	17.73	-6.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BLES vs. HERD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLES Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the HERD Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLES and HERD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BLES	HERD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	2.54	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.56	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.63	-0.09

Drawdowns

BLES vs. HERD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLES drawdown since its inception was -40.35%, roughly equal to the maximum HERD drawdown of -39.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLES and HERD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLES	HERD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.35%	-39.41%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.29%	-5.68%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.46%	-18.90%	+3.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.61%	-21.60%	-5.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.67%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.05%	-4.55%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.66%	+0.52%

Volatility

BLES vs. HERD - Volatility Comparison

Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) at 2.92%. This indicates that BLES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HERD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BLES	HERD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	2.92%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.60%	7.74%	+1.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.43%	11.62%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.46%	17.76%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	20.50%	-1.56%

BLES vs. HERD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLES has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than HERD's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLES vs. HERD - Dividend Comparison

BLES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, less than HERD's 3.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BLES Inspire Global Hope ETF	1.77%	1.97%	1.90%	1.80%	1.64%	9.28%	1.61%	2.16%	1.73%	2.01%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	3.13%	3.75%	2.43%	2.54%	2.50%	2.02%	1.95%	1.69%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BLES and HERD in my portfolio?

BLES and HERD have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLES or HERD?

BLES has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to HERD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLES dropped -40.35% vs HERD's -39.41%.

Which ETF is better, BLES or HERD?

On 5-year performance, HERD leads with 9.95% vs 7.38% for BLES. On fees, BLES is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, HERD has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLES or HERD?

Over the 5-year period, HERD has performed better with a 9.95% return vs 7.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLES or HERD?

BLES is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.

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

HERD has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 1.77% for BLES.

What is the main difference between BLES and HERD?

BLES tracks Inspire Global Hope Large Cap Equal Weight Index, while HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for BLES and 0.73% for HERD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.92), 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.