IQSM vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQSM (IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - IQSM tracks the IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net while PEXL tracks the Pacer US Export Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQSM returned 13.84%/yr vs 22.51%/yr for PEXL. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQSM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

IQSM vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) 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, IQSM achieves a 11.77% return, which is significantly lower than PEXL's 23.12% return.

IQSM

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 11.77%
• 6M: 12.17%
• 1Y: 22.78%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PEXL

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 12.19%
• YTD: 23.12%
• 6M: 24.66%
• 1Y: 53.95%
• 3Y*: 22.51%
• 5Y*: 13.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

IQSM vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	11.77%	7.97%	9.15%	15.82%	2.29%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	23.12%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	6.23%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSM and PEXL is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2022	0.89

The correlation between IQSM and PEXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSM vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSM	PEXL
Industrials	23.1%	6.4%
Technology	15.5%	55.1%
Healthcare	14.2%	7.5%
Financial Services	12.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	4.3%
Real Estate	10.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	6.3%
Basic Materials	4.1%	4.2%
Energy	2.6%	1.1%
Communication Services	2.6%	15.1%
Utilities	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

IQSM vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSM

IQSM Risk / Return Rank: 48
IQSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IQSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IQSM Omega Ratio Rank: 42
IQSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSM Martin Ratio Rank: 55

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 87
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PEXL Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

IQSM vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) 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.

	IQSM	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	3.05	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	4.00	-1.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.51	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	4.74	-2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.43	20.42	-11.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSM vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSM 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IQSM	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	3.05	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.65	+0.08

Drawdowns

IQSM vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSM drawdown since its inception was -23.66%, smaller than the maximum PEXL drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSM and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSM	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.66%	-36.76%	+13.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-11.43%	+2.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.66%	-24.72%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-6.72%	+1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	2.65%	-0.23%

Volatility

IQSM vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is 3.97%, while Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a volatility of 5.25%. This indicates that IQSM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PEXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSM	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	5.25%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.98%	13.10%	-2.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.97%	17.80%	-2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	21.86%	-3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	24.04%	-6.15%

IQSM vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQSM vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

IQSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, more than PEXL's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IQSM IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF	1.06%	1.18%	1.22%	1.11%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.34%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSM and PEXL in my portfolio?

IQSM and PEXL have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSM or PEXL?

PEXL has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to IQSM (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSM dropped -23.66% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, IQSM or PEXL?

On 3-year performance, PEXL leads with 22.51% vs 13.84% for IQSM. On fees, IQSM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IQSM has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSM or PEXL?

Over the 3-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 22.51% return vs 13.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSM or PEXL?

IQSM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PEXL.

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

IQSM has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.34% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between IQSM and PEXL?

IQSM tracks IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Mid Cap Equity Index - Benchmark TR Net, while PEXL tracks Pacer US Export Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSM and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 1.53), 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.