VO vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - VO tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Index while PEXL tracks the Pacer US Export Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VO returned 8.04%/yr vs 13.04%/yr for PEXL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

VO vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) 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, VO achieves a 10.92% return, which is significantly lower than PEXL's 21.98% return.

VO

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 10.92%
• 6M: 10.35%
• 1Y: 19.49%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 8.04%
• 10Y*: 11.58%

PEXL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 9.34%
• YTD: 21.98%
• 6M: 23.37%
• 1Y: 52.16%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

VO vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	10.92%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-13.50%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	21.98%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	-20.41%	30.12%	25.02%	39.86%	-17.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VO 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2018	0.88

The correlation between VO and PEXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VO vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VO	PEXL
Technology	18.6%	55.1%
Industrials	17.9%	6.4%
Financial Services	12.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	4.3%
Energy	8.5%	1.1%
Utilities	8.3%	-
Healthcare	7.6%	7.5%
Real Estate	5.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	6.3%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.2%
Communication Services	3.1%	15.1%

Return for Risk

VO vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 48
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 54

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 86
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 82
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.

VO vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) 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.

	VO	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.95	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	3.88	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.49	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	4.59	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.13	19.74	-10.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VO vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VO Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VO 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

	VO	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.95	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.60	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.65	-0.14

Drawdowns

VO vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VO drawdown since its inception was -58.87%, which is greater than PEXL's maximum drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VO and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VO	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.87%	-36.76%	-22.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-11.43%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.02%	-24.72%	+5.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	-30.44%	+2.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.92%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-6.72%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	2.65%	-0.51%

Volatility

VO vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is 2.99%, while Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a volatility of 5.31%. This indicates that VO 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

	VO	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	5.31%	-2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	13.14%	-3.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.33%	17.79%	-5.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.60%	21.86%	-4.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.94%	24.04%	-5.10%

VO vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VO vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

VO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, more than PEXL's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.37%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.35%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VO and PEXL in my portfolio?

VO 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, VO or PEXL?

PEXL has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to VO (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VO dropped -58.87% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, VO or PEXL?

On 5-year performance, PEXL leads with 13.04% vs 8.04% for VO. On fees, VO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VO has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VO or PEXL?

Over the 5-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 8.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VO or PEXL?

VO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PEXL.

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

VO has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.37% for PEXL.

What is the main difference between VO and PEXL?

VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while PEXL tracks Pacer US Export Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VO and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 1.59), 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.