PSWD vs. USCA

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

PSWD (Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF) and USCA (Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSWD is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Cyber Security ESG Screened Index, while USCA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Climate Action Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSWD returned 20.08%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for USCA. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSWD charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for USCA.

Performance

PSWD vs. USCA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) and Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF (USCA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSWD achieves a 29.56% return, which is significantly higher than USCA's 6.54% return.

PSWD

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 12.87%
• 6M: 25.45%
• YTD: 29.56%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: 20.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USCA

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 1.89%
• 6M: 5.03%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 1Y: 15.01%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PSWD vs. USCA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PSWD Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF	29.56%	1.69%	9.46%	18.58%
USCA Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF	6.54%	14.24%	27.24%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PSWD and USCA is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2023	0.66

The correlation between PSWD and USCA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSWD vs. USCA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSWD	USCA
Technology	97.8%	41.9%
Industrials	1.2%	6.6%
Real Estate	0.5%	1.8%
Communication Services	0.1%	12.2%
Financial Services	0.1%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	10.5%
Healthcare	0.1%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	4.0%
Energy	0.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.5%
Utilities	0.0%	1.7%

Return for Risk

PSWD vs. USCA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSWD

PSWD Risk / Return Rank: 26
PSWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PSWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PSWD Omega Ratio Rank: 28
PSWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PSWD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

USCA

USCA Risk / Return Rank: 40
USCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
USCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
USCA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
USCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
USCA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

PSWD vs. USCA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) and Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF (USCA). 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.

	PSWD	USCA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.19	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	1.68	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.22	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	1.47	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.09	5.49	-3.40

PSWD vs. USCA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSWD Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the USCA Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSWD and USCA, 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

PSWD vs. USCA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSWD drawdown since its inception was -23.70%, which is greater than USCA's maximum drawdown of -19.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSWD and USCA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSWD	USCA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.70%	-19.14%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.70%	-10.25%	-13.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.70%	-19.14%	-4.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.68%	-1.28%	-1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.44%	-2.17%	-4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.51%	2.74%	+7.77%

Volatility

PSWD vs. USCA - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) has a higher volatility of 8.09% compared to Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF (USCA) at 3.91%. This indicates that PSWD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USCA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSWD	USCA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.09%	3.91%	+4.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.60%	9.95%	+12.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.55%	12.66%	+13.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.92%	14.78%	+9.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.92%	14.78%	+9.14%

PSWD vs. USCA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSWD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than USCA's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PSWD vs. USCA - Dividend Comparison

PSWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than USCA's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
PSWD Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF	0.60%	0.88%	1.49%	0.55%
USCA Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF	1.12%	1.14%	1.22%	1.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSWD and USCA in my portfolio?

PSWD and USCA have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSWD or USCA?

PSWD has higher volatility (8.09%) compared to USCA (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSWD dropped -23.70% vs USCA's -19.14%.

Which ETF is better, PSWD or USCA?

On 3-year performance, PSWD leads with 20.08% vs 18.32% for USCA. On fees, USCA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, USCA has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSWD or USCA?

Over the 3-year period, PSWD has performed better with a 20.08% return vs 18.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSWD or USCA?

USCA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for PSWD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSWD or USCA?

USCA has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.60% for PSWD.

What is the main difference between PSWD and USCA?

PSWD is categorized as Technology Equities, while USCA is Large Cap Blend Equities. PSWD tracks Solactive Cyber Security ESG Screened Index, while USCA tracks MSCI USA Climate Action Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for PSWD and 0.07% for USCA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.83), 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.