PSMJ vs. BUFR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PSMJ (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF) and BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSMJ returned 13.98%/yr vs 14.58%/yr for BUFR. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMJ charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for BUFR.

Performance

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMJ achieves a 4.54% return, which is significantly lower than BUFR's 6.64% return.

PSMJ

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.54%
• 6M: 5.78%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 13.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFR

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 18.35%
• 3Y*: 14.58%
• 5Y*: 10.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSMJ Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF	4.54%	13.29%	14.06%	19.80%	-2.41%	3.68%
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	6.64%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	4.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMJ and BUFR is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2021	0.89

The correlation between PSMJ and BUFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSMJ	BUFR
Technology	33.2%	35.8%
Financial Services	12.5%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.3%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.2%
Healthcare	9.6%	8.4%
Industrials	8.4%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.9%
Energy	4.2%	3.5%
Utilities	2.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

PSMJ vs. BUFR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMJ

PSMJ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PSMJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PSMJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PSMJ Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PSMJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
PSMJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 87
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF (PSMJ) and FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR). 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.

	PSMJ	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	2.83	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.33	4.10	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.57	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	4.08	+0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.33	22.10	+3.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is comparable to the BUFR Sharpe Ratio of 2.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMJ and BUFR, 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

	PSMJ	BUFR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.83	2.83	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	1.08	+0.11

Drawdowns

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMJ drawdown since its inception was -10.87%, smaller than the maximum BUFR drawdown of -13.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMJ and BUFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMJ	BUFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.87%	-13.73%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.70%	-4.61%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.87%	-12.81%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.37%	-2.09%	+0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.85%	-0.18%

Volatility

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF (PSMJ) is 0.41%, while FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) has a volatility of 1.02%. This indicates that PSMJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMJ	BUFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.41%	1.02%	-0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.89%	4.95%	-1.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.76%	6.53%	-0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.96%	10.45%	-1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.96%	10.23%	-1.27%

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMJ has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFR's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMJ vs. BUFR - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSMJ nor BUFR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PSMJ Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (July) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMJ and BUFR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PSMJ and BUFR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PSMJ or BUFR?

BUFR has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to PSMJ (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMJ dropped -10.87% vs BUFR's -13.73%.

Which ETF is better, PSMJ or BUFR?

On 3-year performance, BUFR leads with 14.58% vs 13.98% for PSMJ. On fees, PSMJ is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PSMJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMJ or BUFR?

Over the 3-year period, BUFR has performed better with a 14.58% return vs 13.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMJ or BUFR?

PSMJ is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BUFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSMJ or BUFR?

PSMJ and BUFR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSMJ and BUFR?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSMJ and 0.95% for BUFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.83), 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.