RDVY vs. CALF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDVY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while CALF is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RDVY returned 12.03%/yr vs 3.80%/yr for CALF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RDVY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

RDVY vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVY achieves a 13.41% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 14.10% return.

RDVY

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 13.41%
• 6M: 12.60%
• 1Y: 31.20%
• 3Y*: 20.46%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: 16.29%

CALF

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 7.83%
• YTD: 14.10%
• 6M: 11.90%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: 9.56%
• 5Y*: 3.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

RDVY vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	13.41%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	11.99%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	14.10%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-10.06%	5.78%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and CALF is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2017	0.81

The correlation between RDVY and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RDVY vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	CALF
Financial Services	36.5%	0.2%
Technology	17.6%	29.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	28.3%
Industrials	12.2%	5.9%
Healthcare	8.1%	9.4%
Communication Services	5.4%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.3%
Energy	1.4%	10.3%
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	1.6%
Real Estate	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 74
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 81

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 73
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 62
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

RDVY vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 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.

	RDVY	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.84	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.69	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.33	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	4.77	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.71	13.43	+0.28

RDVY vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY 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

RDVY vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-47.58%	+6.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.15%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-34.22%	+15.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-34.22%	+8.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.29%	+1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-10.71%	+5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.18%	-0.03%

Volatility

RDVY vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) have volatilities of 5.04% and 4.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVY	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.93%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.50%	10.67%	+0.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	15.90%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.98%	23.43%	-4.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.13%	25.99%	-4.86%

RDVY vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than CALF's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.20%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.89%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and CALF in my portfolio?

RDVY and CALF have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or CALF?

RDVY has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to CALF (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or CALF?

On 5-year performance, RDVY leads with 12.03% vs 3.80% for CALF. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, CALF has been the lower-risk option at 4.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or CALF?

Over the 5-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 12.03% return vs 3.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or CALF?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.89% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and CALF?

RDVY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Blend Equities. RDVY tracks NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while CALF tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RDVY and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 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.