QUAL vs. PSCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) and PSCX (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. QUAL is passively managed, while PSCX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QUAL returned 11.96%/yr vs 8.46%/yr for PSCX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QUAL charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PSCX.

Performance

QUAL vs. PSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUAL achieves a 8.80% return, which is significantly higher than PSCX's 5.11% return.

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

PSCX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 5.11%
• 6M: 5.98%
• 1Y: 15.49%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

QUAL vs. PSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	2.05%
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	5.11%	12.08%	13.27%	16.57%	-7.35%	9.03%	0.81%

Correlation

The correlation between QUAL and PSCX 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	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2020	0.88

The correlation between QUAL and PSCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

QUAL vs. PSCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QUAL	PSCX
Technology	36.5%	33.2%
Financial Services	11.5%	12.5%
Communication Services	11.1%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	10.0%
Healthcare	9.0%	9.6%
Industrials	8.2%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.4%
Energy	4.0%	4.2%
Utilities	1.9%	2.6%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

QUAL vs. PSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

PSCX

PSCX Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

QUAL vs. PSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) and Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX). 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.

	QUAL	PSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.82	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	4.22	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.58	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	3.70	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.00	18.94	-7.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QUAL vs. PSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is lower than the PSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUAL and PSCX, 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

	QUAL	PSCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.82	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	1.20	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	1.27	-0.47

Drawdowns

QUAL vs. PSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUAL drawdown since its inception was -34.06%, which is greater than PSCX's maximum drawdown of -10.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUAL and PSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUAL	PSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.06%	-10.20%	-23.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-4.20%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.00%	-9.61%	-8.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.23%	-10.20%	-18.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.12%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-1.87%	-2.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	0.82%	+1.16%

Volatility

QUAL vs. PSCX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a higher volatility of 2.51% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) at 0.89%. This indicates that QUAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QUAL	PSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	0.89%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	4.21%	+4.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	5.53%	+6.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	7.07%	+10.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	6.96%	+11.14%

QUAL vs. PSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

QUAL has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than PSCX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QUAL vs. PSCX - Dividend Comparison

QUAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, while PSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUAL and PSCX in my portfolio?

QUAL and PSCX 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, QUAL or PSCX?

QUAL has higher volatility (2.51%) compared to PSCX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUAL dropped -34.06% vs PSCX's -10.20%.

Which ETF is better, QUAL or PSCX?

On 5-year performance, QUAL leads with 11.96% vs 8.46% for PSCX. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PSCX has been the lower-risk option at 0.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUAL or PSCX?

Over the 5-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 11.96% return vs 8.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUAL or PSCX?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSCX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QUAL or PSCX?

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.00% for PSCX.

What is the main difference between QUAL and PSCX?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QUAL and 0.75% for PSCX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 1.84), 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.