TMSL vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TMSL (T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. TMSL is actively managed, while PEXL is passively managed. Over the past year, TMSL returned 31.37% vs 53.95% for PEXL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TMSL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

TMSL vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMSL achieves a 16.49% return, which is significantly lower than PEXL's 23.12% return.

TMSL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 16.49%
• 6M: 16.75%
• 1Y: 31.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PEXL

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 12.19%
• YTD: 23.12%
• 6M: 24.66%
• 1Y: 53.95%
• 3Y*: 22.51%
• 5Y*: 13.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

TMSL vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TMSL T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF	16.49%	11.95%	15.81%	11.22%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	23.12%	27.33%	5.79%	6.08%

Correlation

The correlation between TMSL and PEXL is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2023	0.88

The correlation between TMSL and PEXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

TMSL vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TMSL	PEXL
Technology	24.3%	55.1%
Industrials	19.7%	6.4%
Financial Services	14.4%	-
Healthcare	13.4%	7.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	4.3%
Energy	6.8%	1.1%
Real Estate	4.6%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	6.3%
Utilities	1.6%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	15.1%

Return for Risk

TMSL vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMSL

TMSL Risk / Return Rank: 56
TMSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
TMSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TMSL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TMSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TMSL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 87
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PEXL 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.

TMSL vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). 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.

	TMSL	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	3.05	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	4.00	-1.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.51	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	4.74	-1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.55	20.42	-8.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TMSL vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is lower than the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMSL and PEXL, 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

	TMSL	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	3.05	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.65	+0.39

Drawdowns

TMSL vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMSL drawdown since its inception was -24.39%, smaller than the maximum PEXL drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMSL and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMSL	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.39%	-36.76%	+12.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-11.43%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.72%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	0.00%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.94%	-6.72%	+2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	2.65%	+0.07%

Volatility

TMSL vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF (TMSL) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) have volatilities of 5.40% and 5.25%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMSL	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	5.25%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.66%	13.10%	+0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.27%	17.80%	-0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.39%	21.86%	-3.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.39%	24.04%	-5.65%

TMSL vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMSL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMSL vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

TMSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, more than PEXL's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.34%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%
TMSL T. Rowe Price Small-Mid Cap ETF	0.49%	0.57%	0.44%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMSL and PEXL in my portfolio?

TMSL and PEXL have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMSL or PEXL?

TMSL has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to PEXL (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMSL dropped -24.39% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, TMSL or PEXL?

On 1-year performance, PEXL leads with 53.95% vs 31.37% for TMSL. On fees, TMSL is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, PEXL has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMSL or PEXL?

Over the 1-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 53.95% return vs 31.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMSL or PEXL?

TMSL is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PEXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMSL or PEXL?

TMSL has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.34% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between TMSL and PEXL?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for TMSL and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 1.83), 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.