SECT vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

SECT (Main Sector Rotation ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SECT is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SECT returned 12.81%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SECT charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

SECT vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Main Sector Rotation ETF (SECT) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SECT achieves a 11.33% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.05% return.

SECT

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 1.20%
• 6M: 9.65%
• YTD: 11.33%
• 1Y: 23.42%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: 12.81%
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 1.02%
• 6M: 13.19%
• YTD: 15.05%
• 1Y: 27.32%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 11.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

SECT vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SECT Main Sector Rotation ETF	11.33%	17.80%	18.61%	21.10%	-12.80%	28.88%	15.65%	0.51%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.05%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	5.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SECT and RAFE is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019	0.85

The correlation between SECT and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SECT vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SECT

SECT Risk / Return Rank: 60
SECT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SECT Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SECT Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SECT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SECT Martin Ratio Rank: 62

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 88
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 88
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
RAFE 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.

SECT vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Main Sector Rotation ETF (SECT) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	SECT	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.42	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	3.39	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	3.68	-1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.80	14.34	-5.54

SECT vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SECT Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SECT and RAFE, 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

SECT vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SECT drawdown since its inception was -38.09%, which is greater than RAFE's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SECT and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SECT	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.09%	-35.74%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-7.46%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.71%	-16.36%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.71%	-24.28%	+2.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-0.62%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.62%	-6.12%	+1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.91%	+0.76%

Volatility

SECT vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Main Sector Rotation ETF (SECT) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.40%. This indicates that SECT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SECT	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	2.40%	+2.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.44%	8.61%	+2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.20%	11.34%	+2.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.99%	15.07%	+2.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	19.32%	+0.82%

SECT vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SECT has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SECT vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

SECT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, less than RAFE's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.50%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SECT Main Sector Rotation ETF	0.73%	0.32%	0.45%	0.84%	0.86%	0.60%	1.37%	0.77%	1.67%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SECT and RAFE in my portfolio?

SECT and RAFE have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SECT or RAFE?

SECT has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to RAFE (2.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SECT dropped -38.09% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, SECT or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, SECT leads with 12.81% vs 11.38% for RAFE. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SECT or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, SECT has performed better with a 12.81% return vs 11.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SECT or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for SECT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SECT or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.73% for SECT.

What is the main difference between SECT and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: Main Management and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for SECT and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.66), 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.