CALF vs. ISCB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) and ISCB (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - CALF tracks the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index while ISCB tracks the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CALF returned 4.12%/yr vs 5.72%/yr for ISCB. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CALF charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for ISCB.

Performance

CALF vs. ISCB - 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 iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). 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 higher than ISCB's 11.43% return.

CALF

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

ISCB

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 11.43%
• 6M: 11.42%
• 1Y: 29.48%
• 3Y*: 16.41%
• 5Y*: 5.72%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

CALF vs. ISCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.34%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-10.06%	5.78%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	11.43%	12.46%	10.90%	19.51%	-19.04%	17.46%	6.29%	29.42%	-13.92%	8.65%

Correlation

The correlation between CALF and ISCB is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.88

The correlation between CALF and ISCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

CALF vs. ISCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CALF	ISCB
Technology	29.7%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	28.3%	11.8%
Energy	10.3%	4.9%
Healthcare	9.4%	13.3%
Communication Services	8.8%	2.6%
Industrials	5.9%	18.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	3.4%
Real Estate	1.6%	8.2%
Basic Materials	1.6%	4.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	15.9%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

CALF vs. ISCB — 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

ISCB

ISCB Risk / Return Rank: 56
ISCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
ISCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ISCB Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ISCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ISCB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. ISCB - 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 iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB). 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	ISCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.80	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.60	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	3.15	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	11.26	+2.82
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. ISCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CALF Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the ISCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CALF and ISCB, 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	ISCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	1.80	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.27	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.38	-0.01

Drawdowns

CALF vs. ISCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CALF drawdown since its inception was -47.58%, smaller than the maximum ISCB drawdown of -61.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CALF and ISCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	CALF	ISCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.58%	-61.25%	+13.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-9.39%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.22%	-26.22%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.22%	-29.94%	-4.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.95%	-0.67%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-9.80%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.63%	-0.48%

Volatility

CALF vs. ISCB - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) at 4.28%. This indicates that CALF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CALF	ISCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	4.28%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	11.43%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.84%	16.51%	-0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.44%	21.39%	+2.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	22.68%	+3.34%

CALF vs. ISCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

CALF has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCB's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

CALF vs. ISCB - Dividend Comparison

CALF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, which matches ISCB's 1.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
ISCB iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF	1.27%	1.38%	1.31%	1.49%	1.63%	1.26%	1.26%	1.25%	1.60%	1.24%	1.58%	1.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CALF and ISCB in my portfolio?

CALF and ISCB have a correlation of 0.80, 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 ISCB?

CALF has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to ISCB (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CALF dropped -47.58% vs ISCB's -61.25%.

Which ETF is better, CALF or ISCB?

On 5-year performance, ISCB leads with 5.72% vs 4.12% for CALF. On fees, ISCB is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ISCB has been the lower-risk option at 4.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CALF or ISCB?

Over the 5-year period, ISCB has performed better with a 5.72% return vs 4.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CALF or ISCB?

ISCB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.27% for ISCB.

What is the main difference between CALF and ISCB?

CALF tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index, while ISCB tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Extended Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for CALF and 0.04% for ISCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.80), 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.