PSMR vs. FJAN

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PSMR (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF) and FJAN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January) are both Defined Outcome funds. PSMR is actively managed, while FJAN is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSMR returned 8.49%/yr vs 11.01%/yr for FJAN. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMR charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FJAN.

Performance

PSMR vs. FJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF (PSMR) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (FJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMR achieves a 7.75% return, which is significantly higher than FJAN's 6.20% return.

PSMR

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 7.75%
• 6M: 7.88%
• 1Y: 14.73%
• 3Y*: 11.39%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: —

FJAN

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 6.20%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 18.61%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 11.01%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMR vs. FJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSMR Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF	7.75%	6.74%	11.99%	16.85%	-4.11%	7.02%
FJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January	6.20%	12.74%	15.24%	21.65%	-3.96%	8.69%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMR and FJAN is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2021	0.87

The correlation between PSMR and FJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSMR vs. FJAN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMR

PSMR Risk / Return Rank: 98
PSMR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PSMR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PSMR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PSMR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PSMR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

FJAN

FJAN Risk / Return Rank: 80
FJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PSMR vs. FJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF (PSMR) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (FJAN). 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.

	PSMR	FJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.11	2.51	+1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.94	3.59	+3.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.93	1.50	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.58	3.16	+10.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	64.74	16.33	+48.42

PSMR vs. FJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMR Sharpe Ratio is 4.11, which is higher than the FJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMR and FJAN, 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

PSMR vs. FJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMR drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, smaller than the maximum FJAN drawdown of -13.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMR and FJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMR	FJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-13.58%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.09%	-5.91%	+4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.78%	-12.92%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.78%	-13.58%	+1.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.57%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-1.99%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	1.14%	-0.91%

Volatility

PSMR vs. FJAN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF (PSMR) is 1.40%, while FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January (FJAN) has a volatility of 2.13%. This indicates that PSMR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMR	FJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	2.13%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.76%	6.07%	-3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.60%	7.46%	-3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.50%	10.52%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.39%	10.37%	-1.98%

PSMR vs. FJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMR has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than FJAN's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMR vs. FJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSMR nor FJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMR and FJAN in my portfolio?

PSMR and FJAN have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSMR or FJAN?

FJAN has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to PSMR (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMR dropped -11.78% vs FJAN's -13.58%.

Which ETF is better, PSMR or FJAN?

On 5-year performance, FJAN leads with 11.01% vs 8.49% for PSMR. On fees, PSMR is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PSMR has been the lower-risk option at 1.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMR or FJAN?

Over the 5-year period, FJAN has performed better with a 11.01% return vs 8.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMR or FJAN?

PSMR is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FJAN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSMR or FJAN?

PSMR and FJAN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PSMR and FJAN?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSMR and 0.85% for FJAN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.11 vs 2.51), 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.