CALF vs. PTLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) and PTLC (Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CALF is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index, while PTLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CALF returned 4.12%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for PTLC. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CALF charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PTLC.

Performance

CALF vs. PTLC - 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 Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC). 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 PTLC's 5.53% return.

CALF

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

PTLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

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

CALF vs. PTLC - 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%
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	5.53%	5.10%	24.31%	16.78%	-8.62%	27.90%	-1.15%	17.58%	1.49%	10.21%

Correlation

The correlation between CALF and PTLC is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.55

The correlation between CALF and PTLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

CALF vs. PTLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CALF	PTLC
Technology	29.7%	35.6%
Consumer Cyclical	28.3%	10.1%
Energy	10.3%	3.5%
Healthcare	9.4%	8.5%
Communication Services	8.8%	11.2%
Industrials	5.9%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.9%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.6%	1.8%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.8%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

CALF vs. PTLC — 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

PTLC

PTLC Risk / Return Rank: 53
PTLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
PTLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PTLC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PTLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PTLC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. PTLC - 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 Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC). 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	PTLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.91	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.55	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	2.45	+2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	9.71	+4.37
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. PTLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CALF Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the PTLC Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CALF and PTLC, 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	PTLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	1.91	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.92	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.70	-0.33

Drawdowns

CALF vs. PTLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CALF drawdown since its inception was -47.58%, which is greater than PTLC's maximum drawdown of -26.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CALF and PTLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	CALF	PTLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.58%	-26.63%	-20.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-8.77%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.22%	-15.17%	-19.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.22%	-15.17%	-19.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.63%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.95%	-0.74%	-1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-5.64%	-5.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.21%	-0.06%

Volatility

CALF vs. PTLC - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) at 2.88%. This indicates that CALF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PTLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CALF	PTLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	2.88%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	8.15%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.84%	11.27%	+4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.44%	11.73%	+11.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	13.17%	+12.85%

CALF vs. PTLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

CALF has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than PTLC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CALF vs. PTLC - Dividend Comparison

CALF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than PTLC's 1.01% 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%
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	1.01%	1.06%	0.67%	1.18%	1.26%	0.73%	1.08%	1.10%	1.00%	0.97%	1.08%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CALF and PTLC in my portfolio?

CALF and PTLC have a correlation of 0.58, 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 PTLC?

CALF has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to PTLC (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CALF dropped -47.58% vs PTLC's -26.63%.

Which ETF is better, CALF or PTLC?

On 5-year performance, PTLC leads with 10.72% vs 4.12% for CALF. On fees, CALF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, PTLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CALF or PTLC?

Over the 5-year period, PTLC has performed better with a 10.72% 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 PTLC?

CALF is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PTLC.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 1.01% for PTLC.

What is the main difference between CALF and PTLC?

CALF is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while PTLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. CALF tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index, while PTLC tracks Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for CALF and 0.60% for PTLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.91), 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.