PALC vs. PTNQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PALC (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF) and PTNQ (Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PALC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index, while PTNQ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PALC returned 9.40%/yr vs 11.87%/yr for PTNQ. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PALC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for PTNQ.

Performance

PALC vs. PTNQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) and Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALC achieves a 11.39% return, which is significantly lower than PTNQ's 14.10% return.

PALC

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 6.95%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 12.77%
• 1Y: 21.51%
• 3Y*: 17.82%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: —

PTNQ

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 10.71%
• YTD: 14.10%
• 6M: 12.48%
• 1Y: 33.00%
• 3Y*: 15.46%
• 5Y*: 11.87%
• 10Y*: 16.24%

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

PALC vs. PTNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	11.39%	7.28%	21.24%	17.52%	-14.74%	41.03%	22.18%
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	14.10%	7.18%	15.47%	34.65%	-16.00%	13.16%	23.01%

Correlation

The correlation between PALC and PTNQ is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2020	0.72

The correlation between PALC and PTNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

PALC vs. PTNQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PALC	PTNQ
Financial Services	22.6%	0.3%
Technology	15.2%	53.2%
Industrials	14.1%	4.3%
Healthcare	11.9%	5.3%
Energy	10.6%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	10.6%	4.8%
Communication Services	6.2%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	12.9%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.1%
Utilities	1.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	0.3%	0.1%

Return for Risk

PALC vs. PTNQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PALC

PALC Risk / Return Rank: 52
PALC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PALC Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PALC Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PALC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PALC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

PTNQ

PTNQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
PTNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PTNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
PTNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PTNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PTNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

PALC vs. PTNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) and Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ). 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.

	PALC	PTNQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.13	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.80	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.36	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.82	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	9.57	-0.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PALC vs. PTNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALC Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the PTNQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALC and PTNQ, 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

	PALC	PTNQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.13	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.93	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.81	+0.17

Drawdowns

PALC vs. PTNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALC drawdown since its inception was -24.45%, smaller than the maximum PTNQ drawdown of -28.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALC and PTNQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALC	PTNQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.45%	-28.07%	+3.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-11.76%	+2.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.39%	-14.19%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.45%	-18.47%	-5.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.20%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.33%	-5.69%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	3.46%	-1.06%

Volatility

PALC vs. PTNQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) is 2.95%, while Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) has a volatility of 4.63%. This indicates that PALC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PTNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALC	PTNQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	4.63%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.55%	11.48%	-2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.58%	15.56%	-3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.22%	12.90%	+3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	16.37%	+0.70%

PALC vs. PTNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than PTNQ's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALC vs. PTNQ - Dividend Comparison

PALC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than PTNQ's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	1.04%	1.08%	0.93%	0.74%	1.69%	0.64%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	0.77%	0.88%	1.96%	1.47%	0.62%	0.00%	0.16%	0.44%	0.45%	0.32%	0.30%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALC and PTNQ in my portfolio?

PALC and PTNQ have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PALC or PTNQ?

PTNQ has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to PALC (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALC dropped -24.45% vs PTNQ's -28.07%.

Which ETF is better, PALC or PTNQ?

On 5-year performance, PTNQ leads with 11.87% vs 9.40% for PALC. On fees, PALC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PALC has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PALC or PTNQ?

Over the 5-year period, PTNQ has performed better with a 11.87% return vs 9.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PALC or PTNQ?

PALC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for PTNQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PALC or PTNQ?

PALC has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.77% for PTNQ.

What is the main difference between PALC and PTNQ?

PALC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PTNQ is Large Cap Blend Equities. PALC tracks Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index, while PTNQ tracks Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PALC and 0.65% for PTNQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.87), 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.