FICMX vs. VB
FICMX (Federated Hermes Government Income Fund) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - FICMX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Federated, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, FICMX returned 0.87%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for VB. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. FICMX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.
Performance
FICMX vs. VB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FICMX achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 16.59% return. Over the past 10 years, FICMX has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 0.87%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 12.23% annualized return.
FICMX
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- YTD
- 0.66%
- 6M
- 1.11%
- 1Y
- 5.77%
- 3Y*
- 3.62%
- 5Y*
- -0.24%
- 10Y*
- 0.87%
VB
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 2.29%
- YTD
- 16.59%
- 6M
- 14.23%
- 1Y
- 29.94%
- 3Y*
- 17.63%
- 5Y*
- 7.20%
- 10Y*
- 12.23%
FICMX vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICMX Federated Hermes Government Income Fund | 0.66% | 8.81% | -0.16% | 3.08% | -11.94% | -1.58% | 4.26% | 5.77% | 0.58% | 1.91% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 16.59% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between FICMX and VB is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | -0.07 |
The correlation between FICMX and VB shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FICMX vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank
FICMX
VB
FICMX vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Government Income Fund (FICMX) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.
| FICMX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.31 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 3.35 | -1.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.38 | 12.29 | -5.91 |
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Drawdowns
FICMX vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FICMX drawdown since its inception was -19.81%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FICMX and VB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FICMX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.81% | -59.56% | +39.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.15% | -8.98% | +5.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.90% | -25.36% | +16.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.23% | -28.15% | +8.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.81% | -42.05% | +22.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.58% | 0.00% | -2.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.49% | -8.42% | +5.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.98% | 2.44% | -1.46% |
Volatility
FICMX vs. VB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Federated Hermes Government Income Fund (FICMX) is 1.46%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 4.86%. This indicates that FICMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FICMX | VB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.46% | 4.86% | -3.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 12.21% | -9.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.39% | 16.63% | -12.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.87% | 20.78% | -13.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.15% | 21.42% | -16.27% |
FICMX vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FICMX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
FICMX vs. VB - Dividend Comparison
FICMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.72%, more than VB's 1.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICMX Federated Hermes Government Income Fund | 3.72% | 3.67% | 2.90% | 2.22% | 1.39% | 0.72% | 1.37% | 2.21% | 2.46% | 2.39% | 2.09% | 2.39% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.17% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FICMX and VB have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to FICMX (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FICMX dropped -19.81% vs VB's -59.56%.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.43), 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.
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