ISCAX vs. FULBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) and FULBX (Federated Hermes Ultra Short Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - ISCAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Federated, while FULBX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by Federated. Over the past 10 years, ISCAX returned 9.99%/yr vs 2.46%/yr for FULBX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISCAX charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for FULBX.

Performance

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISCAX achieves a 10.95% return, which is significantly higher than FULBX's 1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCAX has outperformed FULBX with an annualized return of 9.99%, while FULBX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.46% annualized return.

ISCAX

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 6M: 12.78%
• 1Y: 20.21%
• 3Y*: 17.87%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

FULBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 4.93%
• 3Y*: 5.10%
• 5Y*: 3.12%
• 10Y*: 2.46%

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

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	10.95%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-18.88%	34.73%
FULBX Federated Hermes Ultra Short Bond Fund	1.40%	5.50%	5.35%	5.15%	-1.31%	0.02%	2.29%	3.32%	1.24%	1.37%

Correlation

The correlation between ISCAX and FULBX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1998	0.03

The correlation between ISCAX and FULBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ISCAX vs. FULBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

FULBX

FULBX Risk / Return Rank: 97
FULBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FULBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
FULBX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
FULBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FULBX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	ISCAX	FULBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	3.13	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	8.67	-6.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	2.67	-1.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	9.25	-7.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.67	42.84	-34.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the FULBX Sharpe Ratio of 3.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCAX and FULBX, 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

	ISCAX	FULBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	3.13	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	2.28	-1.93
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	1.96	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	1.10	-0.60

Drawdowns

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCAX drawdown since its inception was -71.55%, which is greater than FULBX's maximum drawdown of -5.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCAX and FULBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISCAX	FULBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.55%	-5.43%	-66.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.91%	-0.54%	-11.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.90%	-0.54%	-13.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.33%	-2.60%	-37.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.33%	-4.67%	-35.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	0.00%	-1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.22%	-0.80%	-21.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	0.12%	+2.98%

Volatility

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) has a higher volatility of 5.18% compared to Federated Hermes Ultra Short Bond Fund (FULBX) at 0.48%. This indicates that ISCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FULBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISCAX	FULBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	0.48%	+4.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.49%	1.15%	+11.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.39%	1.58%	+13.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.49%	1.37%	+16.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.44%	1.26%	+16.18%

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISCAX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than FULBX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISCAX vs. FULBX - Dividend Comparison

ISCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.71%, more than FULBX's 4.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FULBX Federated Hermes Ultra Short Bond Fund	4.60%	4.79%	3.99%	2.67%	1.00%	0.56%	1.49%	2.16%	1.90%	1.25%	0.84%	0.64%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.71%	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 ISCAX and FULBX in my portfolio?

ISCAX and FULBX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISCAX or FULBX?

ISCAX has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to FULBX (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCAX dropped -71.55% vs FULBX's -5.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FULBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.13 vs 1.70), 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.