BSMC vs. CALF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BSMC (Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. BSMC is actively managed, while CALF is passively managed. Over the past year, BSMC returned 32.91% vs 41.78% for CALF. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BSMC charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

BSMC vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSMC achieves a 17.58% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 24.42% return.

BSMC

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 3.08%
• 6M: 10.68%
• YTD: 17.58%
• 1Y: 32.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.93%

CALF

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 6.54%
• 6M: 20.48%
• YTD: 24.42%
• 1Y: 41.78%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 6.84%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.54%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	$434.93K	$465.46K	$441.00K
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	$24.87M	$26.51M	$26.11M

BSMC vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	17.58%	15.52%	10.21%	11.69%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	24.42%	2.33%	-7.41%	18.99%

Correlation

The correlation between BSMC and CALF is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2023	0.85

The correlation between BSMC and CALF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

BSMC vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BSMC	CALF
Healthcare	23.3%	11.6%
Industrials	16.0%	9.3%
Technology	15.1%	23.4%
Consumer Defensive	13.7%	5.3%
Financial Services	10.5%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	23.2%
Energy	6.4%	13.7%
Basic Materials	3.8%	4.2%
Communication Services	3.6%	7.6%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BSMC vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BSMC

BSMC Risk / Return Rank: 88
BSMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BSMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BSMC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BSMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BSMC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 94
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BSMC vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF). 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.

	BSMC	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.63	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.75	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.46	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.67	6.98	-3.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	20.13	-6.58

BSMC vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSMC Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSMC and CALF, 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

BSMC vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSMC drawdown since its inception was -19.15%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSMC and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSMC	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.15%	-47.58%	+28.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-6.02%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-34.22%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.34%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-10.57%	+8.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	2.08%	+0.36%

Volatility

BSMC vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) is 4.10%, while Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) has a volatility of 5.16%. This indicates that BSMC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CALF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSMC	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	5.16%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	11.72%	-1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.45%	15.99%	-1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.96%	23.24%	-7.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	25.89%	-9.93%

BSMC vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSMC has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSMC vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

BSMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than CALF's 1.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	0.89%	1.17%	1.02%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	1.10%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSMC and CALF in my portfolio?

BSMC and CALF have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSMC or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to BSMC (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSMC dropped -19.15% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, BSMC or CALF?

On 1-year performance, CALF leads with 41.78% vs 32.91% for BSMC. On fees, CALF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, BSMC has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSMC or CALF?

Over the 1-year period, CALF has performed better with a 41.78% return vs 32.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSMC or CALF?

CALF is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for BSMC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSMC or CALF?

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 0.89% for BSMC.

What is the main difference between BSMC and CALF?

They also come from different issuers: Brandes and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for BSMC and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.29), 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.