CALF vs. FESM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) and FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. CALF is passively managed, while FESM is actively managed. Over the past year, CALF returned 30.24% vs 46.73% for FESM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CALF charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for FESM.

Performance

CALF vs. FESM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CALF achieves a 13.34% return, which is significantly lower than FESM's 19.64% return.

CALF

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 13.34%
• 6M: 12.53%
• 1Y: 30.24%
• 3Y*: 10.69%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: —

FESM

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 3.13%
• YTD: 19.64%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 46.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CALF vs. FESM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.34%	2.33%	-7.41%	11.07%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	19.64%	17.88%	16.22%	12.19%

Correlation

The correlation between CALF and FESM is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2023	0.83

The correlation between CALF and FESM shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CALF vs. FESM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CALF	FESM
Technology	29.7%	21.6%
Consumer Cyclical	28.3%	7.4%
Energy	10.3%	7.2%
Healthcare	9.4%	15.7%
Communication Services	8.8%	3.1%
Industrials	5.9%	19.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.6%	4.2%
Basic Materials	1.6%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	14.8%
Utilities	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

CALF vs. FESM — Risk / Return Rank

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

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 66
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. FESM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). 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.

	CALF	FESM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	2.48	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.34	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	4.61	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	16.60	-2.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CALF vs. FESM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CALF Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the FESM Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CALF and FESM, 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

	CALF	FESM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	2.48	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	1.29	-0.92

Drawdowns

CALF vs. FESM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CALF drawdown since its inception was -47.58%, which is greater than FESM's maximum drawdown of -26.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CALF and FESM.

Drawdown Indicators

	CALF	FESM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.58%	-26.93%	-20.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-10.18%	+4.03%
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	-1.95%	-1.59%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-4.79%	-5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.82%	-0.67%

Volatility

CALF vs. FESM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) is 4.92%, while Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that CALF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FESM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CALF	FESM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	5.64%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	13.32%	-2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.84%	18.98%	-3.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.44%	21.26%	+2.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	21.26%	+4.76%

CALF vs. FESM - Expense Ratio Comparison

CALF has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than FESM's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

CALF vs. FESM - Dividend Comparison

CALF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than FESM's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.28%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.53%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CALF and FESM in my portfolio?

CALF and FESM have a correlation of 0.72, 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 FESM?

FESM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to CALF (4.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CALF dropped -47.58% vs FESM's -26.93%.

Which ETF is better, CALF or FESM?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 46.73% vs 30.24% for CALF. On fees, FESM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, CALF has been the lower-risk option at 4.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CALF or FESM?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 46.73% return vs 30.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CALF or FESM?

FESM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.53% for FESM.

What is the main difference between CALF and FESM?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for CALF and 0.28% for FESM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.93), 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.