STOX vs. PSCX

Last updated Jul 9, 2026

STOX (Horizon Core Equity ETF) and PSCX (Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STOX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Horizon, while PSCX is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer. Over the past year, STOX returned 21.77% vs 13.02% for PSCX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STOX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PSCX.

Performance

STOX vs. PSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) 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, STOX achieves a 9.35% return, which is significantly higher than PSCX's 5.28% return.

STOX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.69%
• 6M: 8.22%
• YTD: 9.35%
• 1Y: 21.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PSCX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.80%
• 6M: 4.79%
• YTD: 5.28%
• 1Y: 13.02%
• 3Y*: 12.30%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

STOX vs. PSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STOX Horizon Core Equity ETF	9.35%	13.00%
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	5.28%	8.48%

Correlation

The correlation between STOX and PSCX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.90

The correlation between STOX and PSCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STOX vs. PSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

STOX

STOX Risk / Return Rank: 66
STOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
STOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
STOX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
STOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
STOX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

PSCX

PSCX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
PSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

STOX vs. PSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) 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.

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.

	STOX	PSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.33	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.46	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.47	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.11	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.62	15.53	-4.91

STOX vs. PSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the PSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STOX 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.

Drawdowns

STOX vs. PSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STOX drawdown since its inception was -9.33%, smaller than the maximum PSCX drawdown of -10.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STOX and PSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STOX	PSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.33%	-10.20%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-4.20%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.61%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-10.20%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.27%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.20%	-1.84%	+0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	0.84%	+1.21%

Volatility

STOX vs. PSCX - Volatility Comparison

Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) has a higher volatility of 4.15% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF (PSCX) at 1.76%. This indicates that STOX'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

	STOX	PSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	1.76%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	4.60%	+5.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	5.61%	+7.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.70%	7.12%	+5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.70%	6.96%	+5.74%

STOX vs. PSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STOX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than PSCX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

STOX vs. PSCX - Dividend Comparison

STOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%, while PSCX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
PSCX Pacer Swan SOS Conservative (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%
STOX Horizon Core Equity ETF	0.17%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STOX and PSCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, STOX and PSCX 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, STOX or PSCX?

STOX has higher volatility (4.15%) compared to PSCX (1.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STOX dropped -9.33% vs PSCX's -10.20%.

Which ETF is better, STOX or PSCX?

On 1-year performance, STOX leads with 21.77% vs 13.02% for PSCX. On fees, STOX is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, PSCX has been the lower-risk option at 1.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, STOX or PSCX?

Over the 1-year period, STOX has performed better with a 21.77% return vs 13.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, STOX or PSCX?

STOX is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSCX.

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

STOX has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for PSCX.

What is the main difference between STOX and PSCX?

STOX is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while PSCX is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Horizon and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for STOX and 0.75% for PSCX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.72), 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.