SPUC vs. PSMD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SPUC (Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF) and PSMD (Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPUC returned 13.74%/yr vs 9.28%/yr for PSMD. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPUC charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PSMD.

Performance

SPUC vs. PSMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF (SPUC) and Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPUC achieves a 9.72% return, which is significantly higher than PSMD's 5.66% return.

SPUC

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 4.26%
• YTD: 9.72%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 29.51%
• 3Y*: 24.38%
• 5Y*: 13.74%
• 10Y*: —

PSMD

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: 5.66%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 15.23%
• 3Y*: 12.88%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPUC vs. PSMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPUC Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF	9.72%	22.64%	25.37%	27.50%	-24.76%	33.71%	1.80%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	5.66%	11.45%	12.78%	17.46%	-4.47%	11.23%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SPUC and PSMD is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
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	0.87

The correlation between SPUC and PSMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPUC vs. PSMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPUC

SPUC Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPUC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPUC Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SPUC Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SPUC Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPUC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

PSMD

PSMD Risk / Return Rank: 84
PSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
PSMD 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.

SPUC vs. PSMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF (SPUC) and Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD). 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.

	SPUC	PSMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.72	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	4.03	-1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.57	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	3.46	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.66	18.41	-9.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPUC vs. PSMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPUC Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is lower than the PSMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPUC and PSMD, 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

	SPUC	PSMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	2.72	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	1.08	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	1.18	-0.42

Drawdowns

SPUC vs. PSMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPUC drawdown since its inception was -29.20%, which is greater than PSMD's maximum drawdown of -11.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPUC and PSMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPUC	PSMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.20%	-11.96%	-17.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	-4.42%	-7.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.17%	-10.70%	-17.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.20%	-11.96%	-17.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.01%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.48%	-1.66%	-6.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	0.83%	+2.59%

Volatility

SPUC vs. PSMD - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF (SPUC) has a higher volatility of 2.64% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) at 0.82%. This indicates that SPUC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPUC	PSMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	0.82%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	4.42%	+6.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	5.62%	+11.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.94%	8.59%	+13.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.46%	8.47%	+12.99%

SPUC vs. PSMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPUC has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than PSMD's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPUC vs. PSMD - Dividend Comparison

SPUC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.16%, while PSMD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.47%	0.00%
SPUC Simplify US Equity PLUS Upside Convexity ETF	9.16%	7.70%	0.94%	1.33%	1.53%	2.00%	0.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPUC and PSMD in my portfolio?

SPUC and PSMD have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPUC or PSMD?

SPUC has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to PSMD (0.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPUC dropped -29.20% vs PSMD's -11.96%.

Which ETF is better, SPUC or PSMD?

On 5-year performance, SPUC leads with 13.74% vs 9.28% for PSMD. On fees, SPUC is cheaper at 0.53% per year. On volatility, PSMD has been the lower-risk option at 0.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPUC or PSMD?

Over the 5-year period, SPUC has performed better with a 13.74% return vs 9.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPUC or PSMD?

SPUC is cheaper with a 0.53% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSMD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPUC or PSMD?

SPUC has the higher dividend yield at 9.16%, compared with 0.00% for PSMD.

What is the main difference between SPUC and PSMD?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPUC and 0.75% for PSMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.76), 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.