PSMO vs. ISWN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSMO (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF) and ISWN (Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF) are both Options Trading funds. PSMO is actively managed, while ISWN is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSMO returned 12.40%/yr vs 8.12%/yr for ISWN. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSMO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ISWN.

Performance

PSMO vs. ISWN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF (PSMO) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMO achieves a 5.45% return, which is significantly higher than ISWN's 4.28% return.

PSMO

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 5.45%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 14.86%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISWN

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 4.94%
• 1Y: 13.27%
• 3Y*: 8.12%
• 5Y*: -0.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMO vs. ISWN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSMO Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF	5.45%	11.44%	9.44%	20.50%	-1.32%	2.88%
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	4.28%	23.23%	-3.96%	8.19%	-24.93%	-0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMO and ISWN is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2021	0.48

The correlation between PSMO and ISWN shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (all time) to 0.60 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PSMO vs. ISWN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSMO	ISWN
Technology	36.2%	10.3%
Financial Services	11.9%	1.6%
Communication Services	10.9%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	7.7%
Healthcare	8.4%	10.6%
Industrials	8.1%	19.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	6.7%
Energy	3.5%	4.0%
Utilities	2.3%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	5.9%

Return for Risk

PSMO vs. ISWN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMO

PSMO Risk / Return Rank: 79
PSMO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PSMO Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PSMO Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PSMO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PSMO Martin Ratio Rank: 83

ISWN

ISWN Risk / Return Rank: 30
ISWN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Omega Ratio Rank: 30
ISWN Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
ISWN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

PSMO vs. ISWN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF (PSMO) and Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN). 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.

	PSMO	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.09	+1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	1.60	+2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.20	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	1.38	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.94	4.67	+12.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSMO vs. ISWN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMO Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the ISWN Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMO and ISWN, 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

	PSMO	ISWN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.09	+1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.22	0.01	+1.21

Drawdowns

PSMO vs. ISWN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMO drawdown since its inception was -9.77%, smaller than the maximum ISWN drawdown of -32.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMO and ISWN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMO	ISWN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-32.35%	+22.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.48%	-9.63%	+5.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.77%	-13.77%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-4.03%	+3.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.33%	-16.17%	+14.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	2.85%	-1.97%

Volatility

PSMO vs. ISWN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF (PSMO) is 0.85%, while Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that PSMO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMO	ISWN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.85%	4.67%	-3.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.56%	10.10%	-5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.95%	12.20%	-6.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.40%	11.67%	-3.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.40%	11.57%	-3.17%

PSMO vs. ISWN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ISWN's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMO vs. ISWN - Dividend Comparison

PSMO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ISWN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ISWN Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF	2.82%	2.89%	3.27%	2.91%	2.00%	0.76%
PSMO Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMO and ISWN in my portfolio?

PSMO and ISWN have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSMO or ISWN?

ISWN has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to PSMO (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMO dropped -9.77% vs ISWN's -32.35%.

Which ETF is better, PSMO or ISWN?

On 3-year performance, PSMO leads with 12.40% vs 8.12% for ISWN. On fees, ISWN is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, PSMO has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMO or ISWN?

Over the 3-year period, PSMO has performed better with a 12.40% return vs 8.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMO or ISWN?

ISWN is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PSMO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSMO or ISWN?

ISWN has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 0.00% for PSMO.

What is the main difference between PSMO and ISWN?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PSMO and 0.49% for ISWN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.09), 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.