PSMO vs. PMDE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PSMO (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF) and PMDE (PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - PSMO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Pacer, while PMDE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). PSMO is actively managed, while PMDE is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PMDE.

Performance

PSMO vs. PMDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF (PSMO) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMO achieves a 5.62% return, which is significantly higher than PMDE's 2.67% return.

PSMO

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 5.62%
• 6M: 6.19%
• 1Y: 15.03%
• 3Y*: 12.81%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMDE

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 3.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMO vs. PMDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PSMO Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF	5.62%	0.92%
PMDE PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December	2.67%	0.46%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMO and PMDE is 0.84, 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 Dec 2, 2025	0.84

Return for Risk

PSMO vs. PMDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMO

PSMO Risk / Return Rank: 81
PSMO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
PSMO Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PSMO Omega Ratio Rank: 85
PSMO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PSMO Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. PMDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (October) ETF (PSMO) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - December (PMDE). 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	PMDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.15	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSMO	PMDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.22	2.58	-1.35

Drawdowns

PSMO vs. PMDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMO drawdown since its inception was -9.77%, which is greater than PMDE's maximum drawdown of -1.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMO and PMDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMO	PMDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-1.59%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.77%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.33%	-0.26%	-1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PSMO	PMDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.82%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.56%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.94%	2.46%	+3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.40%	2.46%	+5.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.40%	2.46%	+5.94%

PSMO vs. PMDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than PMDE's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMO vs. PMDE - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSMO nor PMDE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMO and PMDE in my portfolio?

PSMO and PMDE have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PSMO or PMDE?

On fees, PMDE is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMO or PMDE?

PMDE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PSMO.

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

PSMO and PMDE have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSMO and PMDE?

PSMO is categorized as Options Trading, while PMDE is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PSMO and 0.50% for PMDE.