PALC vs. QWLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PALC (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF) and QWLD (SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - PALC tracks the Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index while QWLD tracks the MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PALC returned 8.10%/yr vs 10.03%/yr for QWLD. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PALC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QWLD.

Performance

PALC vs. QWLD - 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 SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PALC achieves a 6.37% return, which is significantly lower than QWLD's 9.39% return.

PALC

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -4.59%
• 6M: 2.88%
• YTD: 6.37%
• 1Y: 13.57%
• 3Y*: 13.11%
• 5Y*: 8.10%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.51%

QWLD

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 6.46%
• YTD: 9.39%
• 1Y: 19.11%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 10.03%
• 10Y*: 11.57%
• ALL TIME*: 10.49%

*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)
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	$354.52K	$345.95K	$744.41K
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	$231.12K	$297.84K	$1.04M

PALC vs. QWLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	6.37%	7.28%	21.24%	17.52%	-14.74%	41.03%	23.19%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	9.39%	17.93%	14.44%	19.59%	-13.30%	21.57%	19.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PALC and QWLD is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2020	0.83

The correlation between PALC and QWLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PALC vs. QWLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PALC	QWLD
Technology	41.5%	24.9%
Industrials	14.6%	10.9%
Healthcare	9.5%	13.2%
Financial Services	8.8%	16.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	6.3%
Communication Services	6.5%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	8.1%
Basic Materials	3.7%	2.5%
Utilities	1.7%	3.8%
Energy	1.3%	3.4%
Real Estate	0.5%	1.0%

Return for Risk

PALC vs. QWLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

PALC

PALC Risk / Return Rank: 34
PALC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PALC Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PALC Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PALC Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
PALC Martin Ratio Rank: 38

QWLD

QWLD Risk / Return Rank: 80
QWLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QWLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QWLD Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QWLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QWLD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

PALC vs. QWLD - 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 SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD). 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.

	PALC	QWLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	1.93	-1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	2.75	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.34	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	2.44	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.93	10.67	-6.74

PALC vs. QWLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PALC Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the QWLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PALC and QWLD, 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

PALC vs. QWLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PALC drawdown since its inception was -24.45%, smaller than the maximum QWLD drawdown of -31.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PALC and QWLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PALC	QWLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.45%	-31.89%	+7.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-7.66%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.39%	-12.40%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.45%	-22.84%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	0.00%	-7.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-3.66%	-2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	1.75%	+1.25%

Volatility

PALC vs. QWLD - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF (PALC) has a higher volatility of 5.52% compared to SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF (QWLD) at 2.30%. This indicates that PALC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QWLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PALC	QWLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	2.30%	+3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.14%	7.73%	+4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	9.71%	+4.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	13.51%	+3.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	15.12%	+2.17%

PALC vs. QWLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

PALC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QWLD's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

PALC vs. QWLD - Dividend Comparison

PALC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than QWLD's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PALC Pacer Lunt Large Cap Multi-Factor Alternator ETF	1.10%	1.08%	0.93%	0.74%	1.69%	0.64%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QWLD SPDR MSCI World StrategicFactors ETF	1.79%	1.85%	1.74%	1.78%	2.02%	1.77%	1.77%	2.13%	2.33%	2.73%	2.22%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PALC and QWLD in my portfolio?

PALC and QWLD have a correlation of 0.73, 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 QWLD?

PALC has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to QWLD (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PALC dropped -24.45% vs QWLD's -31.89%.

Which ETF is better, PALC or QWLD?

On 5-year performance, QWLD leads with 10.03% vs 8.10% for PALC. On fees, QWLD is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, QWLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PALC or QWLD?

Over the 5-year period, QWLD has performed better with a 10.03% return vs 8.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PALC or QWLD?

QWLD is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PALC.

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

QWLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 1.10% for PALC.

What is the main difference between PALC and QWLD?

PALC tracks Lunt Capital U.S. Large Cap Multi-Factor Rotation Index, while QWLD tracks MSCI World Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PALC and 0.30% for QWLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QWLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.81), 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.