TCAF vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TCAF (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. TCAF is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TCAF returned 17.73%/yr vs 18.76%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCAF charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

TCAF vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCAF achieves a 8.84% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.70% return.

TCAF

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.29%
• 6M: 7.44%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 1Y: 17.14%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.59%
• 6M: 13.30%
• YTD: 15.70%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 11.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

TCAF vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	8.84%	15.45%	20.93%	9.71%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.70%	17.60%	13.81%	10.29%

Correlation

The correlation between TCAF and RAFE 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2023	0.82

The correlation between TCAF and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCAF vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAF

TCAF Risk / Return Rank: 47
TCAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
TCAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
TCAF Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TCAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
TCAF Martin Ratio Rank: 45

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 89
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

TCAF vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	TCAF	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.49	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	3.48	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.78	-2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.95	14.72	-8.77

TCAF vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCAF Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCAF and RAFE, 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

TCAF vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCAF drawdown since its inception was -16.37%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCAF and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCAF	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.37%	-35.74%	+19.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-7.46%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-16.36%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.06%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.04%	-6.13%	+4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	1.91%	+0.98%

Volatility

TCAF vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.78%. This indicates that TCAF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCAF	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	2.78%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.45%	8.59%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	11.34%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.94%	15.07%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.94%	19.33%	-5.39%

TCAF vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCAF has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCAF vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

TCAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than RAFE's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	0.46%	0.50%	0.43%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCAF and RAFE in my portfolio?

TCAF and RAFE 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, TCAF or RAFE?

TCAF has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to RAFE (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCAF dropped -16.37% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, TCAF or RAFE?

On 3-year performance, RAFE leads with 18.76% vs 17.73% for TCAF. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TCAF or RAFE?

Over the 3-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 18.76% return vs 17.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TCAF or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for TCAF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TCAF or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.46% for TCAF.

What is the main difference between TCAF and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for TCAF and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.44), 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.