AIRR vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while PEXL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Export Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AIRR returned 25.46%/yr vs 12.54%/yr for PEXL. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIRR charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

AIRR vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIRR achieves a 31.74% return, which is significantly higher than PEXL's 20.11% return.

AIRR

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.26%
• YTD: 31.74%
• 6M: 28.77%
• 1Y: 67.12%
• 3Y*: 35.29%
• 5Y*: 25.46%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

PEXL

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 20.11%
• 6M: 20.78%
• 1Y: 48.63%
• 3Y*: 20.23%
• 5Y*: 12.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

AIRR vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.74%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.79%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	20.11%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	-20.41%	30.12%	25.02%	39.86%	-17.19%

Correlation

The correlation between AIRR and PEXL is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2018	0.76

The correlation between AIRR and PEXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIRR vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIRR	PEXL
Industrials	92.4%	6.1%
Financial Services	6.9%	-
Energy	3.8%	0.9%
Technology	0.7%	58.8%
Basic Materials	-	3.8%
Communication Services	-	13.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.9%
Healthcare	-	6.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIRR vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 86
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 85
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PEXL 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.

AIRR vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). 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.

	AIRR	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.48	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.26	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.01	4.07	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.33	16.91	+1.42

AIRR vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIRR Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIRR and PEXL, 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

AIRR vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIRR drawdown since its inception was -42.37%, which is greater than PEXL's maximum drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIRR and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIRR	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.37%	-36.76%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.09%	-11.43%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.95%	-24.72%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.95%	-30.44%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-2.44%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-6.71%	-0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	2.75%	+0.82%

Volatility

AIRR vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) has a higher volatility of 9.32% compared to Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) at 7.58%. This indicates that AIRR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PEXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIRR	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	7.58%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.81%	14.39%	+6.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.19%	18.75%	+7.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	22.01%	+3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.36%	24.10%	+2.26%

AIRR vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIRR has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIRR vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

AIRR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than PEXL's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.30%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIRR and PEXL in my portfolio?

AIRR and PEXL have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIRR or PEXL?

AIRR has higher volatility (9.32%) compared to PEXL (7.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIRR dropped -42.37% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, AIRR or PEXL?

On 5-year performance, AIRR leads with 25.46% vs 12.54% for PEXL. On fees, PEXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PEXL has been the lower-risk option at 7.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIRR or PEXL?

Over the 5-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 25.46% return vs 12.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIRR or PEXL?

PEXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIRR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIRR or PEXL?

PEXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.13% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between AIRR and PEXL?

AIRR is categorized as Building & Construction, while PEXL is Mid Cap Blend Equities. AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index, while PEXL tracks Pacer US Export Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for AIRR and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIRR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.48), 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.