PEXL vs. GSG
PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - PEXL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Export Leaders Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PEXL returned 12.03%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for GSG. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PEXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
PEXL vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PEXL achieves a 16.59% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 36.99% return.
PEXL
- 1D
- -4.42%
- 1M
- 1.58%
- YTD
- 16.59%
- 6M
- 17.44%
- 1Y
- 45.89%
- 3Y*
- 20.18%
- 5Y*
- 12.03%
- 10Y*
- —
GSG
- 1D
- -2.47%
- 1M
- -3.81%
- YTD
- 36.99%
- 6M
- 33.63%
- 1Y
- 45.17%
- 3Y*
- 17.71%
- 5Y*
- 14.82%
- 10Y*
- 7.06%
PEXL vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF | 16.59% | 27.33% | 5.79% | 24.40% | -20.41% | 30.12% | 25.02% | 39.86% | -17.19% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 36.99% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -18.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between PEXL and GSG is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2018 | 0.24 |
The correlation between PEXL and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PEXL vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
PEXL
GSG
PEXL vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| PEXL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.35 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.04 | 4.80 | -0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 17.23 | 12.37 | +4.86 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PEXL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.51 | 1.96 | +0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 | 0.66 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.32 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.62 | -0.09 | +0.71 |
Drawdowns
PEXL vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PEXL drawdown since its inception was -36.76%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEXL and GSG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PEXL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.76% | -89.62% | +52.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.43% | -9.46% | -1.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.72% | -14.94% | -9.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.44% | -29.12% | -1.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.30% | -58.64% | +53.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.72% | -63.71% | +56.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.67% | 3.66% | -0.99% |
Volatility
PEXL vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) have volatilities of 6.72% and 7.03%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PEXL | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.72% | 7.03% | -0.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.91% | 20.66% | -6.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.38% | 23.15% | -4.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.94% | 22.63% | -0.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.09% | 22.04% | +2.05% |
PEXL vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
PEXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
PEXL vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
PEXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF | 0.31% | 0.44% | 0.48% | 0.48% | 0.60% | 0.22% | 0.48% | 0.49% | 0.29% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PEXL and GSG have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to PEXL (6.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEXL dropped -36.76% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 5-year performance, GSG leads with 14.82% vs 12.03% for PEXL. On fees, PEXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PEXL has been the lower-risk option at 6.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GSG has performed better with a 14.82% return vs 12.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PEXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
PEXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
PEXL is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GSG is Commodities. PEXL tracks Pacer US Export Leaders Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PEXL and 0.75% for GSG.
PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.96), 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.
Find the right allocation for PEXL and GSG
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer