PSMD vs. BUFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSMD (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF) and BUFX (FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSMD is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Pacer, while BUFX is a Defined Outcome fund managed by First Trust. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BUFX.

Performance

PSMD vs. BUFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMD achieves a 4.91% return, which is significantly higher than BUFX's 3.84% return.

PSMD

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 5.01%
• 1Y: 13.69%
• 3Y*: 12.16%
• 5Y*: 8.98%
• 10Y*: —

BUFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMD vs. BUFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	4.91%	7.68%
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	3.84%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMD and BUFX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

PSMD vs. BUFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMD

PSMD Risk / Return Rank: 81
PSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 84

BUFX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

PSMD vs. BUFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) and FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF (BUFX). 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.

	PSMD	BUFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.22	—	—

Drawdowns

PSMD vs. BUFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMD drawdown since its inception was -11.96%, which is greater than BUFX's maximum drawdown of -2.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMD and BUFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMD	BUFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-2.87%	-9.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.59%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-0.24%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PSMD	BUFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.78%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.75%	4.05%	+1.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.63%	4.05%	+4.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.47%	4.05%	+4.42%

PSMD vs. BUFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMD vs. BUFX - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSMD nor BUFX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFX FT Vest Laddered Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMD and BUFX in my portfolio?

PSMD and BUFX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PSMD or BUFX?

On fees, PSMD is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMD or BUFX?

PSMD is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.96% for BUFX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSMD or BUFX?

PSMD and BUFX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSMD and BUFX?

PSMD is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BUFX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PSMD and 0.96% for BUFX.