PSFF vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSFF (Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSFF 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. PSFF is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSFF returned 9.43%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSFF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

PSFF vs. VTI - 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 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, PSFF achieves a 5.72% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return.

PSFF

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 5.72%
• 6M: 6.41%
• 1Y: 14.89%
• 3Y*: 13.03%
• 5Y*: 9.43%
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

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

PSFF vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSFF Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF	5.72%	10.38%	13.18%	18.39%	-4.11%	11.81%	0.37%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	0.46%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFF and VTI is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2020	0.87

The correlation between PSFF and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSFF vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSFF	VTI
Technology	36.2%	33.5%
Financial Services	11.9%	12.0%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	9.2%
Industrials	8.1%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.7%
Energy	3.5%	3.7%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.0%

Return for Risk

PSFF vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFF

PSFF Risk / Return Rank: 82
PSFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
PSFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PSFF Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PSFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PSFF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI 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.

PSFF vs. VTI - 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 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.

	PSFF	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.33	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	3.18	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.42	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.08	3.17	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.44	14.62	+5.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSFF vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFF Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFF 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSFF	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.33	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.03	0.73	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.51	+0.60

Drawdowns

PSFF vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFF drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFF and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFF	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-55.45%	+44.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.67%	-8.92%	+5.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.78%	-19.30%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.78%	-25.36%	+14.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.72%	+0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.60%	-8.03%	+6.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	1.93%	-1.20%

Volatility

PSFF vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Fund of Funds ETF (PSFF) is 1.02%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that PSFF 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

	PSFF	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.02%	2.96%	-1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.54%	9.13%	-4.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.08%	12.17%	-6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.22%	17.40%	-8.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.10%	18.30%	-9.20%

PSFF vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PSFF vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

PSFF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	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 PSFF and VTI in my portfolio?

PSFF and VTI have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to PSFF (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFF dropped -10.78% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, PSFF or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 12.69% vs 9.43% for PSFF. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PSFF has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFF or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 12.69% return vs 9.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFF or VTI?

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

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for PSFF.

What is the main difference between PSFF and VTI?

PSFF 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 PSFF and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSFF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.33), 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.