FAPR vs. PSCW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FAPR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April) and PSCW (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (April) ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. FAPR is passively managed, while PSCW is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAPR returned 8.58%/yr vs 6.97%/yr for PSCW. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAPR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for PSCW.

Performance

FAPR vs. PSCW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) and Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (April) ETF (PSCW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAPR achieves a 4.22% return, which is significantly lower than PSCW's 7.04% return.

FAPR

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -0.33%
• YTD: 4.22%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 11.10%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 8.58%
• 10Y*: —

PSCW

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 13.63%
• 3Y*: 11.23%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

FAPR vs. PSCW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FAPR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April	4.22%	7.58%	18.14%	19.50%	-10.33%	8.50%
PSCW Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (April) ETF	7.04%	6.56%	12.95%	11.44%	-5.52%	4.68%

Correlation

The correlation between FAPR and PSCW 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2021	0.88

The correlation between FAPR and PSCW shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FAPR vs. PSCW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAPR

FAPR Risk / Return Rank: 91
FAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 96

PSCW

PSCW Risk / Return Rank: 97
PSCW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PSCW Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
PSCW Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PSCW Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PSCW Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

FAPR vs. PSCW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) and Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (April) ETF (PSCW). 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.

	FAPR	PSCW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	3.71	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	6.20	-2.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.82	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.04	9.15	-4.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	32.27	44.03	-11.76

FAPR vs. PSCW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is lower than the PSCW Sharpe Ratio of 3.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAPR and PSCW, 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

FAPR vs. PSCW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAPR drawdown since its inception was -15.96%, which is greater than PSCW's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAPR and PSCW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAPR	PSCW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.96%	-11.89%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.21%	-1.50%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.64%	-11.89%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.96%	-11.89%	-4.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-0.58%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-2.16%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.31%	+0.03%

Volatility

FAPR vs. PSCW - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - April (FAPR) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (April) ETF (PSCW) at 1.45%. This indicates that FAPR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSCW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAPR	PSCW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	1.45%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.71%	2.77%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	3.71%	+0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.53%	7.66%	+2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.43%	7.58%	+2.85%

FAPR vs. PSCW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAPR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than PSCW's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAPR vs. PSCW - Dividend Comparison

Neither FAPR nor PSCW has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAPR and PSCW in my portfolio?

FAPR and PSCW 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, FAPR or PSCW?

FAPR has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to PSCW (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAPR dropped -15.96% vs PSCW's -11.89%.

Which ETF is better, FAPR or PSCW?

On 5-year performance, FAPR leads with 8.58% vs 6.97% for PSCW. On fees, PSCW is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PSCW has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAPR or PSCW?

Over the 5-year period, FAPR has performed better with a 8.58% return vs 6.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAPR or PSCW?

PSCW is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FAPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FAPR or PSCW?

FAPR and PSCW have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FAPR and PSCW?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FAPR and 0.61% for PSCW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSCW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 2.56), 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.