PSMD vs. MOAT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PSMD (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF) and MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSMD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. PSMD is actively managed, while MOAT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSMD returned 9.18%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for MOAT. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PSMD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for MOAT.

Performance

PSMD vs. MOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMD achieves a 6.35% return, which is significantly higher than MOAT's 4.36% return.

PSMD

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 5.65%
• YTD: 6.35%
• 1Y: 12.94%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.68%

MOAT

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 3.18%
• YTD: 4.36%
• 1Y: 14.29%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 8.70%
• 10Y*: 13.65%
• ALL TIME*: 13.81%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	$65.74M	$67.48M	$82.03M
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	$12.30K	$15.12K	$38.33K

PSMD vs. MOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	6.35%	11.45%	12.78%	17.46%	-4.47%	11.23%	0.55%
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	4.36%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	1.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMD and MOAT is 0.58, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2020	0.78

The correlation between PSMD and MOAT shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PSMD vs. MOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSMD	MOAT
Technology	38.5%	30.8%
Financial Services	11.6%	9.2%
Communication Services	9.9%	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	11.1%
Healthcare	8.9%	18.1%
Industrials	8.4%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	18.2%
Energy	3.0%	-
Utilities	2.2%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	0.7%
Basic Materials	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

PSMD vs. MOAT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSMD

PSMD Risk / Return Rank: 87
PSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
PSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 90

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 35
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 35
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 33

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PSMD vs. MOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). 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	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	0.95	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	1.44	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.16	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	1.06	+1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.24	3.17	+11.07

PSMD vs. MOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMD Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the MOAT Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMD and MOAT, 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

PSMD vs. MOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMD drawdown since its inception was -11.96%, smaller than the maximum MOAT drawdown of -33.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMD and MOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMD	MOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-33.31%	+21.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.42%	-12.43%	+8.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.70%	-21.44%	+10.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.96%	-23.96%	+12.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.06%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.62%	-3.82%	+2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	4.16%	-3.31%

Volatility

PSMD vs. MOAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) is 1.44%, while VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a volatility of 4.00%. This indicates that PSMD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMD	MOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	4.00%	-2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.83%	10.47%	-5.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.85%	14.04%	-8.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.65%	18.29%	-9.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.42%	18.62%	-10.20%

PSMD vs. MOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than MOAT's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMD vs. MOAT - Dividend Comparison

PSMD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.30%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMD and MOAT in my portfolio?

PSMD and MOAT have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSMD or MOAT?

MOAT has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to PSMD (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMD dropped -11.96% vs MOAT's -33.31%.

Which ETF is better, PSMD or MOAT?

On 5-year performance, PSMD leads with 9.18% vs 8.70% for MOAT. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, PSMD has been the lower-risk option at 1.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMD or MOAT?

Over the 5-year period, PSMD has performed better with a 9.18% return vs 8.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMD or MOAT?

MOAT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSMD.

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

MOAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.00% for PSMD.

What is the main difference between PSMD and MOAT?

PSMD is categorized as Defined Outcome, while MOAT is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PSMD and 0.47% for MOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 0.95), 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.