PSFF vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSFF (Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - PSFF is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. PSFF is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSFF returned 9.36%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSFF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

PSFF vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSFF achieves a 5.75% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 10.17% return.

PSFF

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

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 14.06%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

PSFF vs. VFIAX - 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%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.17%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFF and VFIAX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.88

The correlation between PSFF and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSFF vs. VFIAX — 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

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.17	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	2.93	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.39	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.17	3.03	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.78	13.72	+7.07

PSFF vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFF Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFF and VFIAX, 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. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFF drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFF and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFF	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-55.20%	+44.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.67%	-8.90%	+5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.78%	-18.75%	+7.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.78%	-24.53%	+13.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-1.36%	+1.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.59%	-9.38%	+7.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	1.96%	-1.23%

Volatility

PSFF vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) is 1.63%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that PSFF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFF	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	4.77%	-3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	9.91%	-5.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.98%	12.47%	-6.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.24%	17.00%	-7.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.08%	18.11%	-9.03%

PSFF vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFF vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

PSFF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSFF and VFIAX in my portfolio?

PSFF and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.83, 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 VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to PSFF (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFF dropped -10.78% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.17), 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.