PSMR vs. QDEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSMR (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF) and QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) are both exchange-traded funds - PSMR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while QDEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSMR returned 8.52%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for QDEC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSMR charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QDEC.

Performance

PSMR vs. QDEC - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSMR achieves a 7.68% return, which is significantly lower than QDEC's 9.56% return.

PSMR

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.54%
• YTD: 7.68%
• 6M: 8.38%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 11.71%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

QDEC

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 9.56%
• 6M: 10.79%
• 1Y: 25.54%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSMR vs. QDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSMR Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF	7.68%	6.74%	11.99%	16.85%	-4.11%	7.37%
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	9.56%	18.12%	16.40%	29.29%	-22.26%	13.39%

Correlation

The correlation between PSMR and QDEC is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.82

The correlation between PSMR and QDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSMR vs. QDEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSMR	QDEC
Technology	33.1%	54.2%
Financial Services	12.3%	0.2%
Communication Services	10.7%	15.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Healthcare	9.8%	4.2%
Industrials	8.7%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	7.6%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.2%

Return for Risk

PSMR vs. QDEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSMR

PSMR Risk / Return Rank: 97
PSMR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PSMR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PSMR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PSMR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PSMR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. QDEC - 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 Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC). 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.

	PSMR	QDEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.23	2.63	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.28	3.71	+3.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.96	1.50	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.03	3.39	+11.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	73.58	16.17	+57.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSMR vs. QDEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSMR Sharpe Ratio is 4.23, which is higher than the QDEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSMR and QDEC, 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

	PSMR	QDEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.23	2.63	+1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.01	0.75	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.78	+0.27

Drawdowns

PSMR vs. QDEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSMR drawdown since its inception was -11.78%, smaller than the maximum QDEC drawdown of -25.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSMR and QDEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSMR	QDEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.78%	-25.25%	+13.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.99%	-7.58%	+6.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.78%	-16.08%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.78%	-25.25%	+13.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-0.11%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.67%	-5.04%	+3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.20%	1.58%	-1.38%

Volatility

PSMR vs. QDEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (April) ETF (PSMR) is 0.71%, while FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that PSMR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSMR	QDEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.71%	1.37%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.48%	7.56%	-5.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.53%	9.78%	-6.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.48%	14.70%	-6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.41%	14.61%	-6.20%

PSMR vs. QDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSMR has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEC's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSMR vs. QDEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither PSMR nor QDEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSMR and QDEC in my portfolio?

PSMR and QDEC have a correlation of 0.75, 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 QDEC?

QDEC has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to PSMR (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSMR dropped -11.78% vs QDEC's -25.25%.

Which ETF is better, PSMR or QDEC?

On 5-year performance, QDEC leads with 10.93% vs 8.52% for PSMR. On fees, PSMR is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, PSMR has been the lower-risk option at 0.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSMR or QDEC?

Over the 5-year period, QDEC has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSMR or QDEC?

PSMR is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QDEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between PSMR and QDEC?

PSMR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while QDEC is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSMR and 0.90% for QDEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.23 vs 2.63), 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.