FSCC vs. CALF

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FSCC (Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSCC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Federated Hermes, while CALF is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. FSCC is actively managed, while CALF is passively managed. Over the past year, FSCC returned 35.76% vs 33.20% for CALF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FSCC charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

FSCC vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF). 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 FSCC having a 19.29% return and CALF slightly higher at 20.04%.

FSCC

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.96%
• 6M: 12.16%
• YTD: 19.29%
• 1Y: 35.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CALF

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 6.45%
• 6M: 16.08%
• YTD: 20.04%
• 1Y: 33.20%
• 3Y*: 9.56%
• 5Y*: 6.53%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSCC vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FSCC Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF	19.29%	15.30%	2.15%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	20.04%	2.33%	-7.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FSCC and CALF is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2024	0.77

The correlation between FSCC and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FSCC vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSCC	CALF
Industrials	20.7%	5.4%
Technology	17.6%	32.4%
Healthcare	17.5%	9.7%
Financial Services	17.1%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	28.5%
Real Estate	6.2%	1.5%
Energy	4.3%	8.9%
Basic Materials	3.5%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	3.6%
Communication Services	1.9%	8.3%
Utilities	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

FSCC vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSCC

FSCC Risk / Return Rank: 73
FSCC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSCC Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FSCC Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FSCC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
FSCC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 86
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

FSCC vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) 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.

	FSCC	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.10	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	3.02	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	5.42	-2.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.58	14.95	-3.37

FSCC vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSCC Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSCC 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

FSCC vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSCC drawdown since its inception was -27.17%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSCC and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSCC	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.17%	-47.58%	+20.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-6.15%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-34.22%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.10%	0.00%	-4.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.98%	-10.62%	+5.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	2.23%	+0.87%

Volatility

FSCC vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF (FSCC) is 4.54%, while Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) has a volatility of 4.83%. This indicates that FSCC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CALF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSCC	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	4.83%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	11.30%	+3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.54%	15.89%	+3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.14%	23.27%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.14%	25.91%	-3.77%

FSCC vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSCC has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSCC vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

FSCC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than CALF's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	1.14%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%
FSCC Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core ETF	0.23%	0.27%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSCC and CALF in my portfolio?

FSCC and CALF have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSCC or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (4.83%) compared to FSCC (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSCC dropped -27.17% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, FSCC or CALF?

On 1-year performance, FSCC leads with 35.76% vs 33.20% for CALF. On fees, FSCC is cheaper at 0.36% per year. On volatility, FSCC has been the lower-risk option at 4.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSCC or CALF?

Over the 1-year period, FSCC has performed better with a 35.76% return vs 33.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSCC or CALF?

FSCC is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.23% for FSCC.

What is the main difference between FSCC and CALF?

FSCC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Federated Hermes and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for FSCC and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.84), 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.