PSFO vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSFO (Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSFO returned 12.39%/yr vs 3.94%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSFO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

PSFO vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSFO achieves a 5.92% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.71% return.

PSFO

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 5.46%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 12.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.61%
• 1Y: 1.62%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSFO vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PSFO Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF	5.92%	12.93%	10.78%	14.64%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.71%	2.55%	5.33%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFO and CAOS is -0.32, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.09

The correlation between PSFO and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.32 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PSFO vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFO

PSFO Risk / Return Rank: 76
PSFO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PSFO Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PSFO Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PSFO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PSFO Martin Ratio Rank: 81

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 36
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

PSFO vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.

	PSFO	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.08	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	1.72	+1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.22	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	2.15	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.83	5.18	+9.66

PSFO vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFO Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFO and CAOS, 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

PSFO vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFO drawdown since its inception was -12.09%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFO and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFO	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.09%	-3.89%	-8.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.20%	-0.76%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.09%	-3.60%	-8.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-1.18%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-0.92%	-0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	0.32%	+0.77%

Volatility

PSFO vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) has a higher volatility of 2.03% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.32%. This indicates that PSFO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFO	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	0.32%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.69%	1.05%	+4.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.38%	1.50%	+5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.03%	4.23%	+5.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.03%	4.23%	+5.80%

PSFO vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFO vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSFO nor CAOS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSFO and CAOS in my portfolio?

PSFO and CAOS have a correlation of -0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFO or CAOS?

PSFO has higher volatility (2.03%) compared to CAOS (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFO dropped -12.09% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, PSFO or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, PSFO leads with 12.39% vs 3.94% for CAOS. On fees, PSFO is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFO or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, PSFO has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 3.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFO or CAOS?

PSFO is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSFO or CAOS?

PSFO and CAOS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSFO and CAOS?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PSFO and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSFO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.08), 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.