VFQY vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFQY (Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. VFQY is actively managed, while PEXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFQY returned 8.39%/yr vs 12.45%/yr for PEXL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFQY charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

VFQY vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) 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, VFQY achieves a 8.55% return, which is significantly lower than PEXL's 19.63% return.

VFQY

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 16.09%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: —

PEXL

• 1D: -2.96%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 19.63%
• 6M: 18.58%
• 1Y: 45.53%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 12.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFQY vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	8.55%	10.24%	12.93%	22.48%	-15.74%	27.96%	16.97%	25.75%	-16.64%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	19.63%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	-20.41%	30.12%	25.02%	39.86%	-17.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VFQY and PEXL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2018	0.88

The correlation between VFQY and PEXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFQY vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFQY	PEXL
Technology	25.8%	58.8%
Financial Services	18.9%	-
Industrials	16.8%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	5.9%
Healthcare	8.9%	6.8%
Communication Services	2.8%	13.9%
Basic Materials	2.2%	3.8%
Energy	2.2%	0.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VFQY vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFQY

VFQY Risk / Return Rank: 44
VFQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VFQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VFQY Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VFQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFQY Martin Ratio Rank: 49

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 79
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PEXL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VFQY vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) 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.

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.

	VFQY	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.38	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	3.14	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.40	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	4.00	-1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.04	16.56	-8.52

VFQY vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFQY Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFQY 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.

Drawdowns

VFQY vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFQY drawdown since its inception was -37.41%, roughly equal to the maximum PEXL drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFQY and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFQY	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.41%	-36.76%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.12%	-11.43%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.67%	-24.72%	+4.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	-30.44%	+4.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	-3.37%	+2.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-6.69%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.76%	-0.31%

Volatility

VFQY vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) is 3.79%, while Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a volatility of 8.72%. This indicates that VFQY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PEXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFQY	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	8.72%	-4.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.84%	14.95%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.61%	19.25%	-5.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	22.12%	-3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.84%	24.13%	-3.29%

VFQY vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFQY has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFQY vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

VFQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, more than PEXL's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.30%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%
VFQY Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF	0.82%	1.17%	1.34%	1.38%	1.43%	0.98%	1.22%	1.34%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFQY and PEXL in my portfolio?

VFQY and PEXL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFQY or PEXL?

PEXL has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to VFQY (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFQY dropped -37.41% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, VFQY or PEXL?

On 5-year performance, PEXL leads with 12.45% vs 8.39% for VFQY. On fees, VFQY is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VFQY has been the lower-risk option at 3.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFQY or PEXL?

Over the 5-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 12.45% return vs 8.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFQY or PEXL?

VFQY is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PEXL.

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

VFQY has the higher dividend yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.30% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between VFQY and PEXL?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFQY and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.46), 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.