SEIS vs. CALF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SEIS (SEI Select Small Cap ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by SEI, while CALF is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. SEIS is actively managed, while CALF is passively managed. Over the past year, SEIS returned 30.81% vs 41.78% for CALF. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SEIS charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

SEIS vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEIS achieves a 17.92% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 24.42% return.

SEIS

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 11.23%
• YTD: 17.92%
• 1Y: 30.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.23%

CALF

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 6.54%
• 6M: 20.48%
• YTD: 24.42%
• 1Y: 41.78%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 6.84%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.54%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	$24.87M	$26.51M	$26.11M
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	$2.08M	$1.63M	$1.54M

SEIS vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	17.92%	9.81%	1.42%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	24.42%	2.33%	-4.19%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIS and CALF is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2024	0.74

The correlation between SEIS and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SEIS vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SEIS

SEIS Risk / Return Rank: 64
SEIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SEIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SEIS Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SEIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SEIS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 94
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SEIS vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) 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.

	SEIS	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.63	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.75	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.46	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	6.98	-4.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	20.13	-11.17

SEIS vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is lower than the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIS 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

SEIS vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIS drawdown since its inception was -26.08%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIS and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIS	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.08%	-47.58%	+21.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-6.02%	-5.16%
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	-1.83%	-0.34%	-1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.62%	-10.57%	+4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.08%	+1.37%

Volatility

SEIS vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) is 4.66%, while Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) has a volatility of 5.16%. This indicates that SEIS 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

	SEIS	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	5.16%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.54%	11.72%	+2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	15.99%	+3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.77%	23.24%	-1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.77%	25.89%	-4.12%

SEIS vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIS has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIS vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

SEIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than CALF's 1.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	1.10%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%
SEIS SEI Select Small Cap ETF	0.33%	0.59%	0.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIS and CALF in my portfolio?

SEIS and CALF have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIS or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to SEIS (4.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIS dropped -26.08% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, SEIS or CALF?

On 1-year performance, CALF leads with 41.78% vs 30.81% for SEIS. On fees, SEIS is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, SEIS has been the lower-risk option at 4.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIS or CALF?

Over the 1-year period, CALF has performed better with a 41.78% return vs 30.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIS or CALF?

SEIS is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

CALF has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 0.33% for SEIS.

What is the main difference between SEIS and CALF?

SEIS is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: SEI and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SEIS and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.60), 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.