PEXL vs. CWS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PEXL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Export Leaders Index, while CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares. PEXL is passively managed, while CWS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PEXL returned 13.39%/yr vs 8.30%/yr for CWS. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PEXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

PEXL vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEXL achieves a 23.27% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -1.59% return.

PEXL

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 23.27%
• 6M: 22.44%
• 1Y: 51.10%
• 3Y*: 21.89%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: —

CWS

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: -1.59%
• 6M: -3.32%
• 1Y: 0.54%
• 3Y*: 9.38%
• 5Y*: 8.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

PEXL vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	23.27%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	-20.41%	30.12%	25.02%	39.86%	-17.19%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-1.59%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	30.97%	-9.64%

Correlation

The correlation between PEXL and CWS is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2018	0.72

The correlation between PEXL and CWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PEXL vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PEXL	CWS
Technology	58.8%	19.5%
Communication Services	13.9%	-
Healthcare	6.8%	24.2%
Industrials	6.1%	23.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	4.3%
Basic Materials	3.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	13.5%
Energy	0.9%	-
Financial Services	-	10.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

PEXL vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 85
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PEXL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 9
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

PEXL vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	PEXL	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	0.04	+2.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	0.15	+3.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.02	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.49	0.05	+4.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.64	0.11	+18.53

PEXL vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of 0.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEXL and CWS, 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

PEXL vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEXL drawdown since its inception was -36.76%, which is greater than CWS's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEXL and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEXL	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.76%	-33.82%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-11.92%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	-16.56%	-8.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.44%	-24.87%	-5.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-6.02%	+5.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-4.54%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	4.75%	-2.00%

Volatility

PEXL vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a higher volatility of 8.08% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.98%. This indicates that PEXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEXL	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.08%	3.98%	+4.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.63%	10.40%	+4.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	13.50%	+5.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.08%	15.68%	+6.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.11%	16.90%	+7.21%

PEXL vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEXL vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

PEXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%, less than CWS's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.31%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.29%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEXL and CWS in my portfolio?

PEXL and CWS have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEXL or CWS?

PEXL has higher volatility (8.08%) compared to CWS (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEXL dropped -36.76% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, PEXL or CWS?

On 5-year performance, PEXL leads with 13.39% vs 8.30% for CWS. On fees, PEXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEXL or CWS?

Over the 5-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 13.39% return vs 8.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEXL or CWS?

PEXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for CWS.

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

CWS has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.29% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between PEXL and CWS?

PEXL is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while CWS is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and AdvisorShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PEXL and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 0.04), 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.