PSCX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSCX (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Pacer, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. PSCX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSCX returned 8.46%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSCX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PSCX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCX achieves a 5.11% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

PSCX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 5.11%
• 6M: 5.98%
• 1Y: 15.49%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

PSCX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	5.11%	12.08%	13.27%	16.57%	-7.35%	9.03%	0.81%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCX and SPY is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2020	0.90

The correlation between PSCX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSCX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCX	SPY
Technology	33.2%	35.9%
Financial Services	12.5%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.3%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.6%	8.4%
Industrials	8.4%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.8%
Energy	4.2%	3.6%
Utilities	2.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

PSCX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCX

PSCX Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

PSCX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	PSCX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	2.38	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.22	3.24	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.43	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	3.16	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.94	14.72	+4.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSCX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCX and SPY, 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

	PSCX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	2.38	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.20	0.82	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.27	0.59	+0.69

Drawdowns

PSCX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCX drawdown since its inception was -10.20%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.20%	-55.19%	+44.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.20%	-8.88%	+4.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.61%	-18.76%	+9.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.20%	-24.50%	+14.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.70%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-9.05%	+7.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.82%	1.91%	-1.09%

Volatility

PSCX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) is 0.89%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that PSCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.89%	2.84%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.21%	8.90%	-4.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.53%	11.83%	-6.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.07%	17.05%	-9.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.96%	17.94%	-10.98%

PSCX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PSCX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PSCX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to PSCX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCX dropped -10.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, PSCX or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 8.46% for PSCX. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, PSCX has been the lower-risk option at 0.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCX or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 8.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCX or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSCX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSCX or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for PSCX.

What is the main difference between PSCX and SPY?

PSCX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PSCX and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.38), 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.