DWSH vs. CALF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DWSH (AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DWSH is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while CALF is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. DWSH is actively managed, while CALF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DWSH returned -4.38%/yr vs 6.84%/yr for CALF. Their -0.81 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. DWSH charges 3.67%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

DWSH vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (DWSH) 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, DWSH achieves a -11.96% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 24.42% return.

DWSH

• 1D: -2.20%
• 1M: -5.81%
• 6M: -8.92%
• YTD: -11.96%
• 1Y: -17.15%
• 3Y*: -4.29%
• 5Y*: -4.38%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -14.49%

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)
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	$24.87M	$26.51M	$26.11M
DWSH AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	$237.81K	$562.58K	$421.31K

DWSH vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DWSH AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	-11.96%	-2.57%	5.98%	-22.04%	17.45%	-25.74%	-49.95%	-25.27%	22.37%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	24.42%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-20.47%

Correlation

The correlation between DWSH and CALF is -0.84, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	-0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2018	-0.81

The correlation between DWSH and CALF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.84 to -0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

DWSH vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DWSH	CALF
Utilities	-1.1%	-
Energy	-1.1%	13.7%
Real Estate	-1.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	-3.1%	4.2%
Communication Services	-4.7%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	-8.9%	5.3%
Financial Services	-10.4%	0.2%
Industrials	-11.4%	9.3%
Healthcare	-11.7%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-16.4%	23.2%
Technology	-32.7%	23.4%

Return for Risk

DWSH vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWSH

DWSH Risk / Return Rank: 2
DWSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
DWSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
DWSH Omega Ratio Rank: 3
DWSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
DWSH Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

DWSH vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (DWSH) 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.

	DWSH	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.76	2.63	-3.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.96	3.75	-4.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.46	-0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.86	6.98	-7.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.88	20.13	-22.01

DWSH vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWSH Sharpe Ratio is -0.76, which is lower than the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWSH 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

DWSH vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWSH drawdown since its inception was -83.80%, which is greater than CALF's maximum drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWSH and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWSH	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.80%	-47.58%	-36.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.08%	-6.02%	-14.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.61%	-34.22%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.03%	-34.22%	-2.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-83.64%	-0.34%	-83.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-63.95%	-10.57%	-53.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.24%	2.08%	+7.16%

Volatility

DWSH vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (DWSH) has a higher volatility of 12.14% compared to Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) at 5.16%. This indicates that DWSH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CALF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWSH	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.14%	5.16%	+6.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.18%	11.72%	+6.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.70%	15.99%	+6.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.59%	23.24%	+3.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.27%	25.89%	+5.38%

DWSH vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWSH has a 3.67% expense ratio, which is higher than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWSH vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

DWSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.17%, more than CALF's 1.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
DWSH AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF	7.17%	6.31%	6.17%	10.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.14%	0.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWSH and CALF in my portfolio?

DWSH and CALF have a correlation of -0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWSH or CALF?

DWSH has higher volatility (12.14%) compared to CALF (5.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWSH dropped -83.80% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, DWSH or CALF?

On 5-year performance, CALF leads with 6.84% vs -4.38% for DWSH. On fees, CALF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, CALF has been the lower-risk option at 5.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DWSH or CALF?

Over the 5-year period, CALF has performed better with a 6.84% return vs -4.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DWSH or CALF?

CALF is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 3.67% for DWSH.

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

DWSH has the higher dividend yield at 7.17%, compared with 1.10% for CALF.

What is the main difference between DWSH and CALF?

DWSH is categorized as Inverse Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 3.67% for DWSH and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs -0.76), 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.