PSCX vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PSCX (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. PSCX is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSCX returned 8.41%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PSCX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

PSCX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCX achieves a 5.97% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.49% return.

PSCX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: 5.38%
• YTD: 5.97%
• 1Y: 13.16%
• 3Y*: 11.95%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.64%

VTI

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 8.77%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.63%
• ALL TIME*: 9.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	$30.18K	$20.77K	$40.17K
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.06B	$1.16B	$1.24B

PSCX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	5.97%	12.08%	13.27%	16.57%	-7.35%	9.03%	0.43%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.49%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	1.29%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCX and VTI is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2020	0.90

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

PSCX vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCX	VTI
Technology	38.5%	36.1%
Financial Services	11.6%	11.8%
Communication Services	9.9%	9.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	9.4%
Healthcare	8.9%	9.7%
Industrials	8.4%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.3%
Energy	3.0%	3.2%
Utilities	2.2%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

PSCX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSCX

PSCX Risk / Return Rank: 88
PSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PSCX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PSCX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.52	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.12	+1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	2.23	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	9.62	+4.91

PSCX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCX and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PSCX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCX drawdown since its inception was -10.20%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.20%	-55.45%	+45.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.20%	-8.92%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.61%	-19.30%	+9.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.20%	-25.36%	+15.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.36%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-7.99%	+6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	2.07%	-1.22%

Volatility

PSCX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) is 1.55%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.46%. This indicates that PSCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.55%	3.46%	-1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	10.24%	-5.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.75%	13.10%	-7.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.14%	17.51%	-10.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.94%	18.30%	-11.36%

PSCX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%.

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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.06%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCX and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PSCX and VTI 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to PSCX (1.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCX dropped -10.20% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, PSCX or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 11.74% vs 8.41% for PSCX. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PSCX has been the lower-risk option at 1.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCX or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 11.74% return vs 8.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCX or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSCX.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.00% for PSCX.

What is the main difference between PSCX and VTI?

PSCX is categorized as Defined Outcome, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PSCX and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.52), 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.