PSFF vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSFF (Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both funds - PSFF is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 5 years, PSFF returned 9.36%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSFF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

PSFF vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PSFF having a 5.75% return and CBALX slightly higher at 6.03%.

PSFF

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 5.75%
• 6M: 5.79%
• 1Y: 15.23%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

CBALX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 5.93%
• 1Y: 17.64%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

PSFF vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSFF Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF	5.75%	10.38%	13.18%	18.39%	-4.11%	11.81%	0.39%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.03%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	0.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFF and CBALX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.85

The correlation between PSFF and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSFF vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFF

PSFF Risk / Return Rank: 86
PSFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PSFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PSFF Omega Ratio Rank: 85
PSFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PSFF Martin Ratio Rank: 91

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 54
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

PSFF vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). 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.

	PSFF	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	1.99	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	2.80	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.37	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.17	2.64	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.78	11.01	+9.77

PSFF vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFF Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFF and CBALX, 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

PSFF vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFF drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFF and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFF	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-34.53%	+23.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.67%	-6.63%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.78%	-12.06%	+1.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.78%	-20.91%	+10.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.74%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.59%	-5.31%	+3.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	1.58%	-0.85%

Volatility

PSFF vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) is 1.63%, while Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a volatility of 3.74%. This indicates that PSFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFF	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	3.74%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	7.12%	-2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.98%	8.77%	-2.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.24%	11.17%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.08%	11.39%	-2.31%

PSFF vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFF vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

PSFF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.19%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.19%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
PSFF Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSFF and CBALX in my portfolio?

PSFF and CBALX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFF or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to PSFF (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFF dropped -10.78% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.99), 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.