CALF vs. BSMC

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) and BSMC (Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. CALF is passively managed, while BSMC is actively managed. Over the past year, CALF returned 28.04% vs 23.76% for BSMC. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CALF charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for BSMC.

Performance

CALF vs. BSMC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CALF achieves a 17.73% return, which is significantly higher than BSMC's 14.28% return.

CALF

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 3.18%
• 6M: 14.07%
• YTD: 17.73%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 9.15%
• 5Y*: 5.43%
• 10Y*: —

BSMC

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.51%
• 6M: 9.70%
• YTD: 14.28%
• 1Y: 23.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CALF vs. BSMC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	17.73%	2.33%	-7.41%	18.99%
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	14.28%	15.52%	10.21%	11.69%

Correlation

The correlation between CALF and BSMC is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2023	0.85

The correlation between CALF and BSMC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

CALF vs. BSMC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CALF	BSMC
Technology	32.4%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	28.5%	6.5%
Healthcare	9.7%	22.1%
Energy	8.9%	7.0%
Communication Services	8.3%	3.5%
Industrials	5.4%	19.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	12.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.5%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	9.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CALF vs. BSMC — Risk / Return Rank

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

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 76
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BSMC

BSMC Risk / Return Rank: 64
BSMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BSMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
BSMC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
BSMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
BSMC Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

CALF vs. BSMC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	CALF	BSMC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.65	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.44	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.29	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.58	2.65	+1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.58	9.39	+3.19

CALF vs. BSMC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CALF Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the BSMC Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CALF and BSMC, 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

CALF vs. BSMC - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	CALF	BSMC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.58%	-19.15%	-28.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-9.02%	+2.87%
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	0.00%	-0.13%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.63%	-2.61%	-8.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	2.54%	-0.30%

Volatility

CALF vs. BSMC - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) has a higher volatility of 4.71% compared to Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) at 3.82%. This indicates that CALF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSMC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CALF	BSMC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	3.82%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	10.21%	+0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.94%	14.50%	+1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.29%	15.98%	+7.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.92%	15.98%	+9.94%

CALF vs. BSMC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

CALF vs. BSMC - Dividend Comparison

CALF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than BSMC's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	0.92%	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	1.17%	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 CALF and BSMC in my portfolio?

CALF and BSMC have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CALF or BSMC?

CALF has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to BSMC (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CALF dropped -47.58% vs BSMC's -19.15%.

Which ETF is better, CALF or BSMC?

On 1-year performance, CALF leads with 28.04% vs 23.76% for BSMC. On fees, CALF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, BSMC has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CALF or BSMC?

Over the 1-year period, CALF has performed better with a 28.04% return vs 23.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CALF or BSMC?

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

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.92% for BSMC.

What is the main difference between CALF and BSMC?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.65), 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.