PTNQ vs. SCHX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PTNQ (Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF) and SCHX (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - PTNQ tracks the Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index while SCHX tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PTNQ returned 16.14%/yr vs 15.41%/yr for SCHX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTNQ charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHX.

Performance

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTNQ achieves a 13.51% return, which is significantly higher than SCHX's 11.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PTNQ having a 16.14% annualized return and SCHX not far behind at 15.41%.

PTNQ

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 13.51%
• 6M: 12.12%
• 1Y: 31.85%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 16.14%

SCHX

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.70%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.41%

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

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	13.51%	7.18%	15.47%	34.65%	-16.00%	13.16%	29.38%	24.00%	8.51%	32.70%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	11.20%	17.46%	24.88%	26.84%	-19.41%	26.81%	20.81%	31.22%	-4.66%	21.95%

Correlation

The correlation between PTNQ and SCHX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2015	0.82

The correlation between PTNQ and SCHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTNQ	SCHX
Technology	53.2%	37.5%
Communication Services	16.1%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	9.7%
Healthcare	5.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.5%
Industrials	4.3%	8.5%
Utilities	1.4%	2.6%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.8%
Energy	0.5%	3.4%
Financial Services	0.3%	9.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.0%

Return for Risk

PTNQ vs. SCHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTNQ

PTNQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
PTNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PTNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PTNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

SCHX

SCHX Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). 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.

	PTNQ	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.34	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.19	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.42	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	3.11	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	14.13	-4.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTNQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the SCHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTNQ and SCHX, 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

	PTNQ	SCHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.34	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.79	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99	0.85	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.85	-0.05

Drawdowns

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTNQ drawdown since its inception was -28.07%, smaller than the maximum SCHX drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTNQ and SCHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTNQ	SCHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-34.33%	+6.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-9.02%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.19%	-19.04%	+4.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	-25.41%	+6.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.07%	-34.33%	+6.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.27%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.69%	-3.97%	-1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	1.98%	+1.48%

Volatility

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.64% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) at 2.86%. This indicates that PTNQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTNQ	SCHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	2.86%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.47%	9.03%	+2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	11.98%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	17.12%	-4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.37%	18.14%	-1.77%

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTNQ has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTNQ vs. SCHX - Dividend Comparison

PTNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than SCHX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	0.78%	0.88%	1.96%	1.47%	0.62%	0.00%	0.16%	0.44%	0.45%	0.32%	0.30%	0.22%
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.22%	1.39%	1.64%	1.22%	1.64%	1.82%	2.02%	1.70%	1.92%	2.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTNQ and SCHX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PTNQ and SCHX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PTNQ or SCHX?

PTNQ has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to SCHX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTNQ dropped -28.07% vs SCHX's -34.33%.

Which ETF is better, PTNQ or SCHX?

On 10-year performance, PTNQ leads with 16.14% vs 15.41% for SCHX. On fees, SCHX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHX has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTNQ or SCHX?

Over the 10-year period, PTNQ has performed better with a 16.14% return vs 15.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTNQ or SCHX?

SCHX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for PTNQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PTNQ or SCHX?

SCHX has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.78% for PTNQ.

What is the main difference between PTNQ and SCHX?

PTNQ tracks Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index, while SCHX tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTNQ and 0.03% for SCHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.06), 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.