PSMD vs SPY
Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (January) ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PSMD or SPY?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PSMD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $94M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 6 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +7.56% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.26% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.11% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.31% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.4%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,606 | $18,205Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 22, 2020 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (5.7 years).
PSMD vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.7 years both funds cover.
PSMD vs SPY Performance
Pacer Swan SOS Moderate (January) ETF (PSMD) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year PSMD returned +11.26% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, PSMD is up 7.56% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, PSMD compounded at +12.11% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +9.31% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.98% annualized vs +9.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 7.4% for PSMD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -12.0% for PSMD and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSMD charges 0.49% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $9 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSMD currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in PSMD and 504 in SPY, totalling 0.3% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in PSMD and 504 in SPY, against full books of 6 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSMD and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PSMD or SPY?
PSMD has an expense ratio of 0.49% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSMD or SPY?
Over the past year PSMD returned +11.26% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), PSMD annualized +9.77% vs +14.98% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSMD or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 7.4% for PSMD. Worst drawdown: PSMD -12.0% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both PSMD and SPY?
PSMD and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSMD or SPY?
PSMD yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PSMD?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.