FHESX vs. ISCAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FHESX (Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund) and ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) are both mutual funds - FHESX is a Global Equities fund managed by Federated, while ISCAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Federated. Over the past 5 years, FHESX returned 3.07%/yr vs 5.95%/yr for ISCAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FHESX charges 0.94%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ISCAX.

Performance

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FHESX having a 10.53% return and ISCAX slightly higher at 10.85%.

FHESX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 10.53%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 13.35%
• 3Y*: 7.99%
• 5Y*: 3.07%
• 10Y*: —

ISCAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 6M: 10.35%
• 1Y: 20.61%
• 3Y*: 18.25%
• 5Y*: 5.95%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FHESX Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund	10.53%	0.59%	2.01%	18.31%	-18.47%	17.54%	8.33%	25.41%	-8.25%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	10.85%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-11.23%

Correlation

The correlation between FHESX and ISCAX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2018	0.82

The correlation between FHESX and ISCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FHESX vs. ISCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FHESX

FHESX Risk / Return Rank: 15
FHESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FHESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FHESX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FHESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FHESX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund (FHESX) 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.

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.

	FHESX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.59	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	2.37	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.29	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	2.14	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.75	8.28	-4.53

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FHESX Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the ISCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FHESX 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.

Drawdowns

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FHESX drawdown since its inception was -40.76%, smaller than the maximum ISCAX drawdown of -71.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FHESX and ISCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FHESX	ISCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.76%	-71.55%	+30.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-11.91%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.88%	-13.90%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.80%	-40.33%	+12.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.33%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-1.76%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.45%	-22.19%	+14.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	2.80%	+1.25%

Volatility

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund (FHESX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) have volatilities of 5.53% and 5.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FHESX	ISCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	5.50%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.56%	13.09%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	16.12%	-0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.23%	17.60%	-0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.77%	17.43%	+2.34%

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FHESX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is lower than ISCAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

FHESX vs. ISCAX - Dividend Comparison

FHESX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ISCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.72%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FHESX Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	2.00%	0.97%	0.37%	0.72%	0.88%	1.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.72%	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 FHESX and ISCAX in my portfolio?

FHESX and ISCAX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FHESX or ISCAX?

FHESX has higher volatility (5.53%) compared to ISCAX (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FHESX dropped -40.76% vs ISCAX's -71.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.00), 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.