PSFJ vs. QMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSFJ (Pacer Swan SOS Flex (July) ETF) and QMAR (FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - PSFJ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while QMAR is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSFJ returned 15.35%/yr vs 16.73%/yr for QMAR. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSFJ charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QMAR.

Performance

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Flex (July) ETF (PSFJ) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSFJ achieves a 5.52% return, which is significantly lower than QMAR's 13.06% return.

PSFJ

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.64%
• YTD: 5.52%
• 6M: 6.21%
• 1Y: 17.26%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QMAR

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 23.38%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSFJ Pacer Swan SOS Flex (July) ETF	5.52%	13.75%	16.08%	20.25%	-3.81%	5.37%
QMAR FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March	13.06%	10.89%	16.11%	35.47%	-16.56%	4.93%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFJ and QMAR is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2021	0.85

The correlation between PSFJ and QMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSFJ	QMAR
Technology	36.2%	54.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.2%
Industrials	8.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

PSFJ vs. QMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFJ

PSFJ Risk / Return Rank: 84
PSFJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
PSFJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
PSFJ Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PSFJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
PSFJ Martin Ratio Rank: 89

QMAR

QMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
QMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
QMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (July) ETF (PSFJ) and FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR). 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.

	PSFJ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	3.86	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.00	6.05	-2.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.93	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	7.31	-3.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.28	52.66	-32.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is lower than the QMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFJ and QMAR, 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

	PSFJ	QMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	3.86	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.91	+0.19

Drawdowns

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFJ drawdown since its inception was -12.20%, smaller than the maximum QMAR drawdown of -19.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFJ and QMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFJ	QMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.20%	-19.83%	+7.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.56%	-3.21%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.20%	-15.91%	+3.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-0.19%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-3.28%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.45%	+0.40%

Volatility

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (July) ETF (PSFJ) is 0.57%, while FT Cboe Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - March (QMAR) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that PSFJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFJ	QMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	1.27%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.61%	4.85%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.55%	6.09%	+0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.36%	13.97%	-3.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.36%	13.85%	-3.49%

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFJ has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than QMAR's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFJ vs. QMAR - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSFJ nor QMAR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSFJ and QMAR in my portfolio?

PSFJ and QMAR have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFJ or QMAR?

QMAR has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to PSFJ (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFJ dropped -12.20% vs QMAR's -19.83%.

Which ETF is better, PSFJ or QMAR?

On 3-year performance, QMAR leads with 16.73% vs 15.35% for PSFJ. On fees, PSFJ is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PSFJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFJ or QMAR?

Over the 3-year period, QMAR has performed better with a 16.73% return vs 15.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFJ or QMAR?

PSFJ is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSFJ or QMAR?

PSFJ and QMAR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSFJ and QMAR?

PSFJ is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QMAR is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSFJ and 0.90% for QMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.86 vs 2.65), 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.