PEXL vs. LST

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) and LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. PEXL is passively managed, while LST is actively managed. Over the past year, PEXL returned 45.89% vs 32.35% for LST. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for LST.

Performance

PEXL vs. LST - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEXL achieves a 16.59% return, which is significantly higher than LST's 14.59% return.

PEXL

• 1D: -4.42%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 16.59%
• 6M: 17.44%
• 1Y: 45.89%
• 3Y*: 20.18%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: —

LST

• 1D: -2.63%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 6M: 15.54%
• 1Y: 32.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PEXL vs. LST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	16.59%	19.81%
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	14.59%	15.64%

Correlation

The correlation between PEXL and LST is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2025	0.81

The correlation between PEXL and LST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEXL vs. LST — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 80
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PEXL Martin Ratio Rank: 86

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 71
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 71
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. LST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST). 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	LST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.23	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.09	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	3.00	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.23	12.41	+4.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PEXL vs. LST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the LST Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEXL and LST, 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

	PEXL	LST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.23	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	1.27	-0.65

Drawdowns

PEXL vs. LST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEXL drawdown since its inception was -36.76%, which is greater than LST's maximum drawdown of -19.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEXL and LST.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEXL	LST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.76%	-19.47%	-17.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-10.85%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.30%	-2.63%	-2.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-2.91%	-3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	2.61%	+0.06%

Volatility

PEXL vs. LST - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a higher volatility of 6.72% compared to Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) at 4.82%. This indicates that PEXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEXL	LST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	4.82%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.91%	12.06%	+1.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.38%	14.60%	+3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.94%	18.04%	+3.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.09%	18.04%	+6.05%

PEXL vs. LST - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than LST's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEXL vs. LST - Dividend Comparison

PEXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than LST's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.17%	1.34%	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

Can I hold both PEXL and LST in my portfolio?

PEXL and LST have a correlation of 0.78, 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 LST?

PEXL has higher volatility (6.72%) compared to LST (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEXL dropped -36.76% vs LST's -19.47%.

Which ETF is better, PEXL or LST?

On 1-year performance, PEXL leads with 45.89% vs 32.35% for LST. On fees, PEXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, LST has been the lower-risk option at 4.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEXL or LST?

Over the 1-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 45.89% return vs 32.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEXL or LST?

PEXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

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

LST has the higher dividend yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.31% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between PEXL and LST?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Leuthold Group. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PEXL and 0.65% for LST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.23), 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.