YLDE vs. CALF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

YLDE (ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF) and CALF (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLDE is a Dividend fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while CALF is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Index. YLDE is actively managed, while CALF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YLDE returned 9.54%/yr vs 4.12%/yr for CALF. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YLDE charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CALF.

Performance

YLDE vs. CALF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF (YLDE) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YLDE achieves a 4.09% return, which is significantly lower than CALF's 13.34% return.

YLDE

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 4.09%
• 6M: 5.06%
• 1Y: 13.89%
• 3Y*: 14.60%
• 5Y*: 9.54%
• 10Y*: —

CALF

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 13.34%
• 6M: 12.53%
• 1Y: 30.24%
• 3Y*: 10.69%
• 5Y*: 4.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

YLDE vs. CALF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
YLDE ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF	4.09%	13.09%	16.44%	15.69%	-8.56%	22.12%	10.35%	32.46%	-5.74%	9.35%
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.34%	2.33%	-7.41%	35.43%	-15.20%	40.68%	16.55%	18.18%	-10.06%	5.78%

Correlation

The correlation between YLDE and CALF is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.57

The correlation between YLDE and CALF shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

YLDE vs. CALF — Risk / Return Rank

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

YLDE

YLDE Risk / Return Rank: 41
YLDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
YLDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
YLDE Omega Ratio Rank: 40
YLDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
YLDE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

CALF

CALF Risk / Return Rank: 66
CALF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CALF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
CALF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CALF Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
CALF Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

YLDE vs. CALF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF (YLDE) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 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.

	YLDE	CALF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.93	-0.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.82	-0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.94	-3.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.84	14.08	-7.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YLDE vs. CALF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YLDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the CALF Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YLDE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	YLDE	CALF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.93	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.18	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.37	+0.37

Drawdowns

YLDE vs. CALF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YLDE drawdown since its inception was -33.23%, smaller than the maximum CALF drawdown of -47.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLDE and CALF.

Drawdown Indicators

	YLDE	CALF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.23%	-47.58%	+14.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.59%	-6.15%	-1.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.42%	-34.22%	+22.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.22%	-34.22%	+14.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	-1.95%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-10.74%	+7.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	2.15%	-0.12%

Volatility

YLDE vs. CALF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF (YLDE) is 1.81%, while Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF (CALF) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that YLDE 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

	YLDE	CALF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	4.92%	-3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.74%	10.47%	-3.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.31%	15.84%	-6.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.50%	23.44%	-9.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.76%	26.02%	-10.26%

YLDE vs. CALF - Expense Ratio Comparison

YLDE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than CALF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

YLDE vs. CALF - Dividend Comparison

YLDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.04%, more than CALF's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CALF Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.28%	1.43%	1.07%	1.18%	0.85%	2.63%	0.82%	0.99%	1.39%	0.70%
YLDE ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF	7.04%	5.68%	1.69%	1.64%	1.68%	1.15%	1.46%	1.65%	2.25%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YLDE and CALF in my portfolio?

YLDE and CALF have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YLDE or CALF?

CALF has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to YLDE (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLDE dropped -33.23% vs CALF's -47.58%.

Which ETF is better, YLDE or CALF?

On 5-year performance, YLDE leads with 9.54% vs 4.12% for CALF. On fees, CALF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, YLDE has been the lower-risk option at 1.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YLDE or CALF?

Over the 5-year period, YLDE has performed better with a 9.54% return vs 4.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YLDE or CALF?

CALF is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for YLDE.

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

YLDE has the higher dividend yield at 7.04%, compared with 1.28% for CALF.

What is the main difference between YLDE and CALF?

YLDE is categorized as Dividend, while CALF is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for YLDE and 0.59% for CALF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CALF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.50), 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.