FGFAX vs. ISCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FGFAX (Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund) and ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) are both mutual funds - FGFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Federated, while ISCAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Federated. Over the past 10 years, FGFAX returned 9.40%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for ISCAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FGFAX charges 1.23%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ISCAX.

Performance

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund (FGFAX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGFAX achieves a 7.28% return, which is significantly lower than ISCAX's 12.00% return. Over the past 10 years, FGFAX has underperformed ISCAX with an annualized return of 9.40%, while ISCAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.09% annualized return.

FGFAX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 4.46%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 10.38%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 9.40%

ISCAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 4.25%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 6M: 14.39%
• 1Y: 21.81%
• 3Y*: 18.24%
• 5Y*: 6.22%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGFAX Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund	7.28%	36.95%	-1.27%	16.99%	-9.06%	4.81%	15.46%	26.69%	-20.81%	27.98%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	12.00%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-18.88%	34.73%

Correlation

The correlation between FGFAX and ISCAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 1998	0.81

The correlation between FGFAX and ISCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (all time) to 0.93 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FGFAX vs. ISCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGFAX

FGFAX Risk / Return Rank: 33
FGFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FGFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FGFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
FGFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FGFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 38
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund (FGFAX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). 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.

	FGFAX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.75	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.65	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	2.26	-0.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.70	8.93	-1.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the ISCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGFAX and ISCAX, 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

	FGFAX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.75	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.37	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.59	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.51	-0.09

Drawdowns

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGFAX drawdown since its inception was -61.47%, smaller than the maximum ISCAX drawdown of -71.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGFAX and ISCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGFAX	ISCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.47%	-71.55%	+10.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.79%	-11.91%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.64%	-13.90%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	-40.33%	+11.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.99%	-40.33%	+2.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	-0.74%	-1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.81%	-22.23%	+12.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	3.13%	+0.57%

Volatility

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund (FGFAX) has a higher volatility of 6.51% compared to Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) at 5.12%. This indicates that FGFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGFAX	ISCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.51%	5.12%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.40%	12.46%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.79%	15.39%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.53%	17.49%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.68%	17.44%	+0.24%

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGFAX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is lower than ISCAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGFAX vs. ISCAX - Dividend Comparison

FGFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.42%, more than ISCAX's 6.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGFAX Federated Hermes International Leaders Fund	8.42%	9.04%	3.77%	2.97%	4.10%	15.16%	0.09%	2.35%	2.81%	0.39%	2.13%	1.42%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.65%	7.45%	0.00%	0.84%	0.79%	7.79%	5.80%	4.89%	15.53%	6.51%	0.92%	12.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGFAX and ISCAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FGFAX and ISCAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FGFAX or ISCAX?

FGFAX has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to ISCAX (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGFAX dropped -61.47% vs ISCAX's -71.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.64), 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.