SIMS vs. HERD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SIMS (SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF) and HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) are both Global Equities funds - SIMS tracks the S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index while HERD tracks the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIMS returned 0.17%/yr vs 10.62%/yr for HERD. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SIMS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for HERD.

Performance

SIMS vs. HERD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) and Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIMS achieves a 5.98% return, which is significantly lower than HERD's 14.97% return.

SIMS

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -2.75%
• 6M: 0.76%
• YTD: 5.98%
• 1Y: 20.81%
• 3Y*: 6.15%
• 5Y*: 0.17%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.68%

HERD

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.23%
• 6M: 10.58%
• YTD: 14.97%
• 1Y: 29.21%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.92%

*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)
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	$194.03K	$197.87K	$182.95K
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	$11.54K	$25.32K	$26.77K

SIMS vs. HERD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	5.98%	23.75%	-0.27%	7.43%	-27.13%	9.00%	29.88%	10.12%
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	14.97%	19.07%	2.91%	20.72%	-6.96%	28.58%	10.71%	6.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SIMS and HERD is 0.57, 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.	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 7, 2019	0.63

The correlation between SIMS and HERD shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIMS vs. HERD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIMS	HERD
Industrials	49.6%	11.9%
Technology	23.3%	16.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	17.8%
Energy	6.5%	10.4%
Utilities	5.5%	1.3%
Communication Services	4.4%	8.8%
Basic Materials	3.7%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	10.1%
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	16.9%
Real Estate	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

SIMS vs. HERD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIMS

SIMS Risk / Return Rank: 31
SIMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
SIMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SIMS Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SIMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SIMS Martin Ratio Rank: 32

HERD

HERD Risk / Return Rank: 92
HERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
HERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HERD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
HERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HERD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

SIMS vs. HERD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) 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.

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.

	SIMS	HERD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	2.42	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	3.45	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.44	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	5.01	-3.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.91	15.56	-12.65

SIMS vs. HERD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIMS Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is lower than the HERD Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIMS and HERD, 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

SIMS vs. HERD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIMS drawdown since its inception was -43.97%, which is greater than HERD's maximum drawdown of -39.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIMS and HERD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIMS	HERD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.97%	-39.41%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.79%	-5.68%	-10.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.70%	-18.90%	-9.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.97%	-21.60%	-22.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.95%	-0.70%	-6.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.87%	-4.50%	-11.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.36%	1.83%	+4.53%

Volatility

SIMS vs. HERD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) at 3.60%. This indicates that SIMS'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.

Volatility by Period

	SIMS	HERD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	3.60%	+1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.34%	8.72%	+6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.52%	11.83%	+12.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.26%	17.68%	+7.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.98%	20.36%	+5.62%

SIMS vs. HERD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIMS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than HERD's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIMS vs. HERD - Dividend Comparison

SIMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, less than HERD's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	2.73%	3.75%	2.43%	2.54%	2.50%	2.02%	1.95%	1.69%	0.00%
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	0.56%	0.66%	0.88%	1.49%	1.48%	0.97%	0.58%	1.24%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIMS and HERD in my portfolio?

SIMS and HERD have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIMS or HERD?

SIMS has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to HERD (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIMS dropped -43.97% vs HERD's -39.41%.

Which ETF is better, SIMS or HERD?

On 5-year performance, HERD leads with 10.62% vs 0.17% for SIMS. On fees, SIMS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, HERD has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIMS or HERD?

Over the 5-year period, HERD has performed better with a 10.62% return vs 0.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIMS or HERD?

SIMS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIMS or HERD?

HERD has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.56% for SIMS.

What is the main difference between SIMS and HERD?

SIMS tracks S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for SIMS and 0.73% for HERD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 0.76), 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.