PSQA vs. CLOB

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

PSQA (Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF) and CLOB (VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF) are both CLO funds. PSQA is passively managed, while CLOB is actively managed. Over the past year, PSQA returned 5.58% vs 5.90% for CLOB. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PSQA charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for CLOB.

Performance

PSQA vs. CLOB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF (PSQA) and VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF (CLOB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSQA achieves a 3.04% return, which is significantly higher than CLOB's 2.83% return.

PSQA

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.03%
• 6M: 2.54%
• YTD: 3.04%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.67%

CLOB

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.68%
• 6M: 2.19%
• YTD: 2.83%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.80%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CLOB VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF	$1.43M	$865.97K	$596.87K
PSQA Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF	$6.52M	$3.41M	$2.55M

PSQA vs. CLOB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PSQA Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF	3.04%	5.82%	1.65%
CLOB VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF	2.83%	6.94%	2.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PSQA and CLOB is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2024	0.05

Return for Risk

PSQA vs. CLOB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSQA

PSQA Risk / Return Rank: 93
PSQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PSQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PSQA Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PSQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
PSQA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

CLOB

CLOB Risk / Return Rank: 83
CLOB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
CLOB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
CLOB Omega Ratio Rank: 91
CLOB Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
CLOB Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PSQA vs. CLOB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF (PSQA) and VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF (CLOB). 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.

	PSQA	CLOB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.08	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.01	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.46	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.18	3.03	+4.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.22	13.07	+10.15

PSQA vs. CLOB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSQA Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the CLOB Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSQA and CLOB, 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

PSQA vs. CLOB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSQA drawdown since its inception was -1.25%, smaller than the maximum CLOB drawdown of -5.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSQA and CLOB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSQA	CLOB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.25%	-5.54%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.78%	-1.96%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.16%	-0.28%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	0.45%	-0.21%

Volatility

PSQA vs. CLOB - Volatility Comparison

Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF (PSQA) has a higher volatility of 0.64% compared to VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF (CLOB) at 0.39%. This indicates that PSQA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CLOB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSQA	CLOB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.39%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.10%	2.40%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47%	2.84%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.33%	5.29%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.33%	5.29%	-2.96%

PSQA vs. CLOB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSQA has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than CLOB's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSQA vs. CLOB - Dividend Comparison

PSQA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, less than CLOB's 6.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CLOB VanEck AA-BB CLO ETF	6.21%	6.61%	1.65%
PSQA Palmer Square CLO Senior Debt ETF	4.11%	4.48%	1.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSQA and CLOB in my portfolio?

PSQA and CLOB have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSQA or CLOB?

PSQA has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to CLOB (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSQA dropped -1.25% vs CLOB's -5.54%.

Which ETF is better, PSQA or CLOB?

On 1-year performance, CLOB leads with 5.90% vs 5.58% for PSQA. On fees, PSQA is cheaper at 0.21% per year. On volatility, CLOB has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSQA or CLOB?

Over the 1-year period, CLOB has performed better with a 5.90% return vs 5.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSQA or CLOB?

PSQA is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for CLOB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSQA or CLOB?

CLOB has the higher dividend yield at 6.21%, compared with 4.11% for PSQA.

What is the main difference between PSQA and CLOB?

They also come from different issuers: Palmer Square and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for PSQA and 0.45% for CLOB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.08), 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.