PSCH vs. PPA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSCH (Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF) and PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Health Care Index, while PPA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the SPADE Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSCH returned 6.81%/yr vs 17.38%/yr for PPA. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSCH charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for PPA.

Performance

PSCH vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF (PSCH) 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, PSCH achieves a 1.80% return, which is significantly lower than PPA's 8.54% return. Over the past 10 years, PSCH has underperformed PPA with an annualized return of 6.81%, while PPA has yielded a comparatively higher 17.38% annualized return.

PSCH

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: -0.71%
• YTD: 1.80%
• 6M: -1.68%
• 1Y: 10.18%
• 3Y*: 0.45%
• 5Y*: -5.72%
• 10Y*: 6.81%

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)

PSCH vs. PPA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSCH Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF	1.80%	-0.49%	3.77%	-2.71%	-25.15%	5.75%	31.47%	20.17%	9.15%	34.87%
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 PSCH and PPA is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2010	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between PSCH and PPA has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PSCH vs. PPA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCH	PPA
Healthcare	97.3%	-
Technology	1.7%	9.8%
Financial Services	1.1%	-
Industrials	0.7%	90.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PSCH vs. PPA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCH

PSCH Risk / Return Rank: 17
PSCH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
PSCH Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
PSCH Omega Ratio Rank: 17
PSCH Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
PSCH Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

PSCH vs. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF (PSCH) 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.

	PSCH	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	1.40	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	2.05	-1.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.24	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	1.95	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.84	5.68	-3.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSCH vs. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCH Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is lower than the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCH 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

	PSCH	PPA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51	1.40	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	0.97	-1.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.84	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.66	-0.15

Drawdowns

PSCH vs. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCH drawdown since its inception was -46.32%, smaller than the maximum PPA drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCH and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCH	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.32%	-57.37%	+11.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.36%	-13.71%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.98%	-15.24%	-7.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.32%	-18.37%	-27.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.32%	-43.92%	-2.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.59%	-8.40%	-22.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.46%	-9.18%	-4.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.54%	4.69%	+0.85%

Volatility

PSCH vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF (PSCH) is 4.19%, while Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) has a volatility of 6.73%. This indicates that PSCH 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

	PSCH	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	6.73%	-2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	15.95%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.26%	19.03%	+1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.89%	18.49%	+4.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.63%	20.64%	+2.99%

PSCH vs. PPA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PSCH vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

PSCH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less 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%
PSCH Invesco S&P SmallCap Health Care ETF	0.01%	0.04%	0.27%	0.01%	2.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCH and PPA in my portfolio?

PSCH and PPA have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSCH or PPA?

PPA has higher volatility (6.73%) compared to PSCH (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCH dropped -46.32% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which ETF is better, PSCH or PPA?

On 10-year performance, PPA leads with 17.38% vs 6.81% for PSCH. On fees, PSCH is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, PSCH has been the lower-risk option at 4.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCH or PPA?

Over the 10-year period, PPA has performed better with a 17.38% return vs 6.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCH or PPA?

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

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

PPA has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.01% for PSCH.

What is the main difference between PSCH and PPA?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.51), 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.