FTAG vs. PSMD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and PSMD (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTAG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while PSMD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer. FTAG is passively managed, while PSMD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTAG returned 1.86%/yr vs 9.18%/yr for PSMD. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PSMD.

Performance

FTAG vs. PSMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTAG achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly higher than PSMD's 6.35% return.

FTAG

• 1D: -2.10%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: 3.82%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 1Y: 13.22%
• 3Y*: 2.62%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 5.40%
• ALL TIME*: -8.10%

PSMD

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 5.65%
• YTD: 6.35%
• 1Y: 12.94%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.68%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$71.78K	$63.89K	$178.26K
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	$12.30K	$15.12K	$38.33K

FTAG vs. PSMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	11.55%	14.82%	-6.72%	-7.28%	-4.52%	17.31%	1.72%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	6.35%	11.45%	12.78%	17.46%	-4.47%	11.23%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and PSMD is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2020	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between FTAG and PSMD has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTAG vs. PSMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTAG	PSMD
Basic Materials	52.5%	1.7%
Industrials	25.4%	8.4%
Healthcare	10.0%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	9.5%
Communication Services	-	9.9%
Energy	-	3.0%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	38.5%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. PSMD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 33
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

PSMD

PSMD Risk / Return Rank: 87
PSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
PSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTAG vs. PSMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD). 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.

	FTAG	PSMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	2.08	-1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	3.09	-1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.42	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	2.75	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.74	14.24	-11.51

FTAG vs. PSMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the PSMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG and PSMD, 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

FTAG vs. PSMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than PSMD's maximum drawdown of -11.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and PSMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	PSMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-11.96%	-78.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-4.42%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	-10.70%	-10.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	-11.96%	-20.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.42%	0.00%	-78.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-1.62%	-69.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	0.85%	+3.48%

Volatility

FTAG vs. PSMD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a higher volatility of 4.15% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) at 1.44%. This indicates that FTAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTAG	PSMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	1.44%	+2.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	4.83%	+6.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.31%	5.85%	+8.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	8.65%	+8.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	8.42%	+11.02%

FTAG vs. PSMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than PSMD's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. PSMD - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, while PSMD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.30%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTAG and PSMD in my portfolio?

FTAG and PSMD have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTAG or PSMD?

FTAG has higher volatility (4.15%) compared to PSMD (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs PSMD's -11.96%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or PSMD?

On 5-year performance, PSMD leads with 9.18% vs 1.86% for FTAG. On fees, FTAG is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, PSMD has been the lower-risk option at 1.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTAG or PSMD?

Over the 5-year period, PSMD has performed better with a 9.18% return vs 1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or PSMD?

FTAG is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSMD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTAG or PSMD?

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.00% for PSMD.

What is the main difference between FTAG and PSMD?

FTAG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while PSMD is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.75% for PSMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.83), 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.