FHESX vs. KAUFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FHESX (Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund) and KAUFX (Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fd) are both mutual funds - FHESX is a Global Equities fund managed by Federated, while KAUFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Federated. Over the past 5 years, FHESX returned 2.13%/yr vs 5.20%/yr for KAUFX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FHESX charges 0.94%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for KAUFX.

Performance

FHESX vs. KAUFX - 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 Kaufmann Fd (KAUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FHESX achieves a 8.05% return, which is significantly higher than KAUFX's 5.87% return.

FHESX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 2.36%
• YTD: 8.05%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 11.30%
• 3Y*: 6.91%
• 5Y*: 2.13%
• 10Y*: —

KAUFX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 6.25%
• YTD: 5.87%
• 6M: 6.13%
• 1Y: 13.25%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 5.20%
• 10Y*: 11.51%

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

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FHESX Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund	8.05%	0.59%	2.01%	18.31%	-18.47%	17.54%	8.33%	25.41%	-8.25%
KAUFX Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fd	5.87%	12.18%	29.84%	14.88%	-30.30%	2.46%	28.54%	32.56%	-5.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FHESX and KAUFX is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2018	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between FHESX and KAUFX has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FHESX vs. KAUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FHESX

FHESX Risk / Return Rank: 12
FHESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
FHESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
FHESX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
FHESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FHESX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

KAUFX

KAUFX Risk / Return Rank: 11
KAUFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
KAUFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
KAUFX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
KAUFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
KAUFX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. KAUFX - 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 Kaufmann Fd (KAUFX). 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.

	FHESX	KAUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	0.88	-0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	1.36	-0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	0.97	+0.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.21	3.80	+0.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FHESX Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is comparable to the KAUFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FHESX and KAUFX, 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

	FHESX	KAUFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80	0.88	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.25	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.58	-0.27

Drawdowns

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FHESX drawdown since its inception was -40.76%, smaller than the maximum KAUFX drawdown of -54.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FHESX and KAUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FHESX	KAUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.76%	-54.66%	+13.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-14.83%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.88%	-22.58%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.80%	-40.76%	+12.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	0.00%	-0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.50%	-11.20%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	3.79%	+0.26%

Volatility

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund (FHESX) is 3.87%, while Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fd (KAUFX) has a volatility of 4.60%. This indicates that FHESX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KAUFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FHESX	KAUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	4.60%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.93%	14.07%	-2.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.08%	16.74%	-1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	20.94%	-3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.75%	20.83%	-1.08%

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FHESX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is lower than KAUFX's 1.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

FHESX vs. KAUFX - Dividend Comparison

FHESX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while KAUFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.17%.

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%
KAUFX Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fd	10.17%	10.76%	22.39%	1.89%	0.00%	9.77%	6.94%	11.75%	15.74%	11.76%	10.48%	16.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FHESX and KAUFX in my portfolio?

FHESX and KAUFX have a correlation of 0.23, 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 KAUFX?

KAUFX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to FHESX (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FHESX dropped -40.76% vs KAUFX's -54.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KAUFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.80), 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.