SDG vs. HERD
SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) and HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) are both Global Equities funds - SDG tracks the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index while HERD tracks the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDG returned 0.79%/yr vs 10.03%/yr for HERD. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for HERD.
Performance
SDG vs. HERD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SDG achieves a 10.59% return, which is significantly lower than HERD's 12.44% return.
SDG
- 1D
- 0.64%
- 1M
- 4.06%
- YTD
- 10.59%
- 6M
- 10.55%
- 1Y
- 25.38%
- 3Y*
- 7.92%
- 5Y*
- 0.79%
- 10Y*
- 8.52%
HERD
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- 2.67%
- YTD
- 12.44%
- 6M
- 13.23%
- 1Y
- 29.57%
- 3Y*
- 17.75%
- 5Y*
- 10.03%
- 10Y*
- —
SDG vs. HERD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 10.59% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 14.50% |
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF | 12.44% | 19.07% | 2.91% | 20.72% | -6.96% | 28.58% | 10.71% | 7.36% |
Correlation
The correlation between SDG and HERD is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2019 | 0.59 |
The correlation between SDG and HERD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SDG vs. HERD — Risk / Return Rank
SDG
HERD
SDG vs. HERD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). 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.
| SDG | HERD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.79 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.45 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.94 | 5.23 | -2.29 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.77 | 17.88 | -7.11 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SDG | HERD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.77 | 2.56 | -0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | 0.57 | -0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 0.63 | -0.11 |
Drawdowns
SDG vs. HERD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SDG drawdown since its inception was -30.35%, smaller than the maximum HERD drawdown of -39.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDG and HERD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SDG | HERD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.35% | -39.41% | +9.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -5.68% | -3.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.92% | -18.90% | -4.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.35% | -21.60% | -8.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.35% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.33% | +0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.66% | -4.54% | -5.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.36% | 1.66% | +0.70% |
Volatility
SDG vs. HERD - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) has a higher volatility of 5.27% compared to Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) at 2.75%. This indicates that SDG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HERD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SDG | HERD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.27% | 2.75% | +2.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.08% | 7.74% | +3.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.42% | 11.61% | +2.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.63% | 17.76% | -2.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 20.49% | -3.81% |
SDG vs. HERD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SDG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than HERD's 0.73% expense ratio.
Dividends
SDG vs. HERD - Dividend Comparison
SDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less than HERD's 3.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF | 3.12% | 3.75% | 2.43% | 2.54% | 2.50% | 2.02% | 1.95% | 1.69% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.81% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SDG and HERD have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SDG has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to HERD (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDG dropped -30.35% vs HERD's -39.41%.
On 5-year performance, HERD leads with 10.03% vs 0.79% for SDG. On fees, SDG is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, HERD has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, HERD has performed better with a 10.03% return vs 0.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SDG is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.
HERD has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 1.81% for SDG.
SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index, while HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SDG and 0.73% for HERD.
HERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.77), 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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