LEIFX vs. ISCAX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

LEIFX (Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund) and ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) are both mutual funds - LEIFX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Federated, while ISCAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Federated. Over the past 10 years, LEIFX returned 8.48%/yr vs 10.54%/yr for ISCAX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEIFX charges 1.11%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ISCAX.

Performance

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LEIFX achieves a 8.50% return, which is significantly higher than ISCAX's 7.59% return. Over the past 10 years, LEIFX has underperformed ISCAX with an annualized return of 8.48%, while ISCAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.54% annualized return.

LEIFX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 8.50%
• 6M: 8.07%
• 1Y: 20.80%
• 3Y*: 10.34%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 8.48%

ISCAX

• 1D: -2.94%
• 1M: -2.29%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 7.19%
• 1Y: 15.48%
• 3Y*: 17.08%
• 5Y*: 5.07%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

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

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	8.50%	15.18%	-0.45%	8.82%	-7.96%	21.12%	6.43%	21.27%	-12.13%	16.06%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	7.59%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-18.88%	34.73%

Correlation

The correlation between LEIFX and ISCAX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 1996	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between LEIFX and ISCAX has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LEIFX vs. ISCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LEIFX

LEIFX Risk / Return Rank: 72
LEIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
LEIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
LEIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
LEIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
LEIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 28
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX) 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.

	LEIFX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.29	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	1.93	+1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.24	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	1.78	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.73	6.83	+3.90

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LEIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the ISCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LEIFX 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

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LEIFX drawdown since its inception was -49.19%, smaller than the maximum ISCAX drawdown of -71.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEIFX and ISCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LEIFX	ISCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.19%	-71.55%	+22.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.01%	-11.91%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.60%	-13.90%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.60%	-40.33%	+14.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.86%	-40.33%	+3.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-4.64%	+4.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.03%	-22.19%	+12.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.81%	-0.86%

Volatility

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX) is 3.44%, while Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) has a volatility of 6.26%. This indicates that LEIFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LEIFX	ISCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	6.26%	-2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.25%	13.44%	-6.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.73%	16.42%	-6.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.11%	17.65%	-2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.37%	17.28%	+0.09%

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LEIFX has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is lower than ISCAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

LEIFX vs. ISCAX - Dividend Comparison

LEIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.44%, more than ISCAX's 6.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.92%	7.45%	0.00%	0.84%	0.79%	7.79%	5.80%	4.89%	15.53%	6.51%	0.92%	12.23%
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	23.44%	24.92%	0.82%	1.08%	7.54%	16.37%	1.17%	2.01%	19.47%	5.34%	3.98%	3.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LEIFX and ISCAX in my portfolio?

LEIFX and ISCAX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LEIFX or ISCAX?

ISCAX has higher volatility (6.26%) compared to LEIFX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEIFX dropped -49.19% vs ISCAX's -71.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LEIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.29), 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.