PSCF vs. PPA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSCF (Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCF is a Financials Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Financials Index, while PPA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the SPADE Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSCF returned 6.80%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for PPA. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSCF charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for PPA.

Performance

PSCF vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF (PSCF) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCF achieves a 4.89% return, which is significantly lower than PPA's 8.54% return. Over the past 10 years, PSCF has underperformed PPA with an annualized return of 6.80%, while PPA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.38% annualized return.

PSCF

• 1D: -1.78%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: 4.89%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 16.72%
• 3Y*: 15.40%
• 5Y*: 2.81%
• 10Y*: 6.80%

PPA

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 13.46%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 28.92%
• 5Y*: 17.82%
• 10Y*: 17.38%

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

PSCF vs. PPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSCF Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF	4.89%	6.19%	15.50%	6.02%	-19.34%	27.82%	-9.07%	23.13%	-8.43%	6.71%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	8.54%	37.15%	25.28%	18.41%	9.52%	7.09%	0.45%	39.63%	-7.51%	30.10%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCF and PPA is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2010	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between PSCF and PPA has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PSCF vs. PPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCF	PPA
Financial Services	66.9%	-
Real Estate	30.8%	-
Technology	1.9%	9.8%
Industrials	0.3%	90.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PSCF vs. PPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCF

PSCF Risk / Return Rank: 29
PSCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PSCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PSCF Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PSCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PSCF Martin Ratio Rank: 31

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 37
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

PSCF vs. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF (PSCF) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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.

	PSCF	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.40	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.47	2.05	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.24	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	1.95	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.50	5.68	-1.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSCF vs. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCF Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCF and PPA, 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

	PSCF	PPA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	1.40	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.97	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.84	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.66	-0.29

Drawdowns

PSCF vs. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCF drawdown since its inception was -45.46%, smaller than the maximum PPA drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCF and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCF	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.46%	-57.37%	+11.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.91%	-13.71%	+3.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.34%	-15.24%	-9.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.77%	-18.37%	-18.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.46%	-43.92%	-1.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.29%	-8.40%	+4.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-9.18%	+0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	4.69%	-0.97%

Volatility

PSCF vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF (PSCF) is 4.63%, while Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) has a volatility of 6.73%. This indicates that PSCF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCF	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	6.73%	-2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	15.95%	-4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	19.03%	-1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.47%	18.49%	+3.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.79%	20.64%	+4.15%

PSCF vs. PPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCF has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than PPA's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCF vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

PSCF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than PPA's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.39%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%
PSCF Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF	2.42%	2.09%	2.48%	3.32%	2.93%	1.83%	3.57%	4.27%	4.21%	2.26%	3.01%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCF and PPA in my portfolio?

PSCF and PPA have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSCF or PPA?

PPA has higher volatility (6.73%) compared to PSCF (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCF dropped -45.46% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which ETF is better, PSCF or PPA?

On 10-year performance, PPA leads with 17.38% vs 6.80% for PSCF. On fees, PSCF is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, PSCF has been the lower-risk option at 4.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCF or PPA?

Over the 10-year period, PPA has performed better with a 17.38% return vs 6.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCF or PPA?

PSCF is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for PPA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSCF or PPA?

PSCF has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 0.39% for PPA.

What is the main difference between PSCF and PPA?

PSCF is categorized as Financials Equities, while PPA is Aerospace & Defense. PSCF tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Financials Index, while PPA tracks SPADE Defense Index. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for PSCF and 0.58% for PPA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.96), 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.