BUL vs. SIXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUL (Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF) and SIXL (ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. BUL is passively managed, while SIXL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUL returned 11.26%/yr vs 3.45%/yr for SIXL. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SIXL.

Performance

BUL vs. SIXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF (BUL) and ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUL achieves a 9.02% return, which is significantly higher than SIXL's 3.41% return.

BUL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 5.95%
• YTD: 9.02%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 25.79%
• 3Y*: 22.33%
• 5Y*: 11.26%
• 10Y*: —

SIXL

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -2.82%
• YTD: 3.41%
• 6M: 2.41%
• 1Y: 3.64%
• 3Y*: 7.60%
• 5Y*: 3.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

BUL vs. SIXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUL Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF	9.02%	19.18%	27.39%	3.68%	-16.18%	32.48%	40.52%
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF	3.41%	-0.61%	14.13%	2.38%	-7.49%	20.00%	18.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BUL and SIXL is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between BUL and SIXL has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

BUL vs. SIXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUL	SIXL
Technology	28.3%	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	22.3%	6.8%
Healthcare	21.4%	14.5%
Industrials	13.4%	6.4%
Basic Materials	5.7%	2.2%
Energy	5.1%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	17.0%
Communication Services	1.6%	2.6%
Financial Services	-	15.2%
Real Estate	-	13.6%
Utilities	-	17.3%

Return for Risk

BUL vs. SIXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUL

BUL Risk / Return Rank: 50
BUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
BUL Omega Ratio Rank: 42
BUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
BUL Martin Ratio Rank: 59

SIXL

SIXL Risk / Return Rank: 15
SIXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SIXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
SIXL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SIXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
SIXL Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

BUL vs. SIXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF (BUL) and ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL). 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.

	BUL	SIXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	0.38	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	0.60	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.07	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	0.56	+2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	1.58	+8.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUL vs. SIXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUL Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the SIXL Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUL and SIXL, 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

	BUL	SIXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	0.38	+1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.29	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.63	-0.04

Drawdowns

BUL vs. SIXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUL drawdown since its inception was -37.08%, which is greater than SIXL's maximum drawdown of -16.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUL and SIXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUL	SIXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.08%	-16.08%	-21.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-6.52%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	-11.65%	-11.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.85%	-16.08%	-11.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.04%	+6.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.65%	-4.57%	-3.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	2.31%	+0.15%

Volatility

BUL vs. SIXL - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF (BUL) has a higher volatility of 5.32% compared to ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) at 2.36%. This indicates that BUL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SIXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUL	SIXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	2.36%	+2.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.88%	6.61%	+5.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.78%	9.50%	+7.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.79%	12.14%	+9.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.25%	12.55%	+11.70%

BUL vs. SIXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SIXL's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUL vs. SIXL - Dividend Comparison

BUL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SIXL's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BUL Pacer US Cash Cows Growth ETF	0.23%	0.28%	0.30%	2.11%	0.67%	0.08%	0.69%	0.81%
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF	2.31%	2.31%	1.28%	1.48%	1.45%	0.67%	0.40%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUL and SIXL in my portfolio?

BUL and SIXL have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUL or SIXL?

BUL has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to SIXL (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUL dropped -37.08% vs SIXL's -16.08%.

Which ETF is better, BUL or SIXL?

On 5-year performance, BUL leads with 11.26% vs 3.45% for SIXL. On fees, SIXL is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, SIXL has been the lower-risk option at 2.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUL or SIXL?

Over the 5-year period, BUL has performed better with a 11.26% return vs 3.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUL or SIXL?

SIXL is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUL or SIXL?

SIXL has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 0.23% for BUL.

What is the main difference between BUL and SIXL?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Exchange Traded Concepts. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BUL and 0.47% for SIXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.38), 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.