SPSM vs. CALF

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SPSM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while CALF is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPSM returned 7.68%/yr vs 5.43%/yr for CALF. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPSM charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

SPSM vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) 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, SPSM achieves a 21.15% return, which is significantly higher than CALF's 17.73% return.

SPSM

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 15.20%
• YTD: 21.15%
• 1Y: 30.30%
• 3Y*: 14.54%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

CALF

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 3.18%
• 6M: 14.07%
• YTD: 17.73%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 9.15%
• 5Y*: 5.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPSM vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	21.15%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	10.41%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	17.73%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-10.06%	5.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SPSM and CALF is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2017	0.90

The correlation between SPSM and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPSM vs. CALF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPSM	CALF
Financial Services	17.7%	0.2%
Technology	15.5%	32.4%
Industrials	15.4%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	28.5%
Healthcare	12.2%	9.7%
Real Estate	7.3%	1.5%
Energy	5.9%	8.9%
Basic Materials	4.4%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.2%	8.3%
Utilities	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

SPSM vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 72
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 76
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SPSM vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) 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.

	SPSM	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.77	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.58	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	4.58	-1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.75	12.58	-0.83

SPSM vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSM 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

SPSM vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSM drawdown since its inception was -42.89%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSM and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSM	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.89%	-47.58%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.72%	-6.15%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.94%	-34.22%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.94%	-34.22%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.25%	0.00%	-2.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-10.63%	+2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.24%	+0.35%

Volatility

SPSM vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) have volatilities of 4.57% and 4.71%, 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

	SPSM	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	4.71%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	11.17%	+0.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.51%	15.94%	+1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.37%	23.29%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	25.92%	-2.98%

SPSM vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSM has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPSM vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

SPSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, more than CALF's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF	1.17%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.39%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSM and CALF in my portfolio?

SPSM and CALF have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPSM or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to SPSM (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSM dropped -42.89% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, SPSM or CALF?

On 5-year performance, SPSM leads with 7.68% vs 5.43% for CALF. On fees, SPSM is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPSM has been the lower-risk option at 4.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPSM or CALF?

Over the 5-year period, SPSM has performed better with a 7.68% return vs 5.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPSM or CALF?

SPSM is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CALF.

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

SPSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 1.17% for CALF.

What is the main difference between SPSM and CALF?

SPSM is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CALF is Small Cap Value Equities. SPSM tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while CALF tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SPSM and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.74), 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.