VSLU vs. PSMD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSLU (Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US 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, VSLU returned 14.42%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for PSMD. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSLU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for PSMD.

Performance

VSLU vs. PSMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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, VSLU achieves a 6.76% return, which is significantly higher than PSMD's 5.66% return.

VSLU

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 4.20%
• YTD: 6.76%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 27.23%
• 3Y*: 22.03%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: —

PSMD

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 5.66%
• 6M: 6.59%
• 1Y: 15.65%
• 3Y*: 12.77%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSLU vs. PSMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	6.76%	21.52%	23.80%	26.79%	-16.05%	14.05%
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	5.66%	11.45%	12.78%	17.46%	-4.47%	5.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VSLU and PSMD is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2021	0.88

The correlation between VSLU and PSMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSLU vs. PSMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSLU

VSLU Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VSLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VSLU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

PSMD

PSMD Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
PSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VSLU vs. PSMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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.

	VSLU	PSMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.79	-0.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	4.14	-1.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.59	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.67	-0.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	19.57	-6.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSLU vs. PSMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the PSMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSLU 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

	VSLU	PSMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.79	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	1.09	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.18	-0.30

Drawdowns

VSLU vs. PSMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSLU drawdown since its inception was -23.86%, which is greater than PSMD's maximum drawdown of -11.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSLU and PSMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSLU	PSMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.86%	-11.96%	-11.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-4.42%	-4.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-10.70%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.86%	-11.96%	-11.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.01%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-1.66%	-3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	0.83%	+1.23%

Volatility

VSLU vs. PSMD - Volatility Comparison

Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) has a higher volatility of 2.41% compared to Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF (PSMD) at 0.87%. This indicates that VSLU'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

	VSLU	PSMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	0.87%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	4.42%	+4.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.48%	5.64%	+6.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	8.60%	+7.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	8.47%	+7.67%

VSLU vs. PSMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSLU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than PSMD's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSLU vs. PSMD - Dividend Comparison

VSLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, while PSMD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSMD Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (December) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.47%
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	0.43%	0.46%	0.60%	0.60%	0.99%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSLU and PSMD in my portfolio?

VSLU and PSMD have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSLU or PSMD?

VSLU has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to PSMD (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSLU dropped -23.86% vs PSMD's -11.96%.

Which ETF is better, VSLU or PSMD?

On 5-year performance, VSLU leads with 14.42% vs 9.35% for PSMD. On fees, VSLU is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, PSMD has been the lower-risk option at 0.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSLU or PSMD?

Over the 5-year period, VSLU has performed better with a 14.42% return vs 9.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSLU or PSMD?

VSLU is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PSMD.

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

VSLU has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.00% for PSMD.

What is the main difference between VSLU and PSMD?

They also come from different issuers: Applied Finance and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VSLU and 0.75% for PSMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.19), 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.