PTLC vs. FMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTLC (Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF) and FMAR (FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March) are both exchange-traded funds - PTLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index, while FMAR is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. PTLC is passively managed, while FMAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PTLC returned 10.72%/yr vs 10.77%/yr for FMAR. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTLC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FMAR.

Performance

PTLC vs. FMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTLC achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than FMAR's 10.02% return.

PTLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

FMAR

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 11.01%
• 1Y: 19.13%
• 3Y*: 14.55%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

PTLC vs. FMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	5.53%	5.10%	24.31%	16.78%	-8.62%	21.59%
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	10.02%	9.69%	14.61%	20.39%	-5.51%	11.38%

Correlation

The correlation between PTLC and FMAR is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2021	0.77

The correlation between PTLC and FMAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (5 years) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PTLC vs. FMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTLC	FMAR
Technology	35.6%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.9%
Communication Services	11.2%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.4%
Industrials	8.3%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

PTLC vs. FMAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTLC

PTLC Risk / Return Rank: 53
PTLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
PTLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PTLC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PTLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PTLC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

FMAR

FMAR Risk / Return Rank: 96
FMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

PTLC vs. FMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) and FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR). 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.

	PTLC	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	3.79	-1.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	6.08	-3.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.94	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	8.14	-5.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.71	56.00	-46.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTLC vs. FMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is lower than the FMAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTLC and FMAR, 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

	PTLC	FMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	3.79	-1.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	1.04	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	1.10	-0.40

Drawdowns

PTLC vs. FMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTLC drawdown since its inception was -26.63%, which is greater than FMAR's maximum drawdown of -14.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTLC and FMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTLC	FMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.63%	-14.36%	-12.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.77%	-2.36%	-6.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.17%	-12.37%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.17%	-14.36%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.21%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-2.14%	-3.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	0.34%	+1.87%

Volatility

PTLC vs. FMAR - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) has a higher volatility of 2.88% compared to FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March (FMAR) at 0.98%. This indicates that PTLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTLC	FMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	0.98%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	3.95%	+4.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.27%	5.08%	+6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	10.45%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.17%	10.35%	+2.82%

PTLC vs. FMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTLC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTLC vs. FMAR - Dividend Comparison

PTLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, while FMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FMAR FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	1.01%	1.06%	0.67%	1.18%	1.26%	0.73%	1.08%	1.10%	1.00%	0.97%	1.08%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTLC and FMAR in my portfolio?

PTLC and FMAR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTLC or FMAR?

PTLC has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to FMAR (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTLC dropped -26.63% vs FMAR's -14.36%.

Which ETF is better, PTLC or FMAR?

On 5-year performance, FMAR leads with 10.77% vs 10.72% for PTLC. On fees, PTLC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FMAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTLC or FMAR?

Over the 5-year period, FMAR has performed better with a 10.77% return vs 10.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTLC or FMAR?

PTLC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PTLC or FMAR?

PTLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for FMAR.

What is the main difference between PTLC and FMAR?

PTLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FMAR is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PTLC and 0.85% for FMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.79 vs 1.91), 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.