PDT vs PSMO
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund vs Pacer Swan SOS Moderate October ETF
Which is better, PDT or PSMO?
Each has led over a different period.
PSMO has a lower expense ratio. PDT led over 3Y, PSMO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | PDT | PSMO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.41% | 0.49%Best |
| AUM | $656M | $108M |
| Dividend Yield | 7.68% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 154 | 12 |
| YTD Return | -2.10% | +9.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.22% | +12.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.15%Best | +12.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.54% | +10.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 6.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.4% | -9.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,273 | $16,230Best |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | Pacer ETFs |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Equity-oriented Balanced |
| Inception | Dec 21, 1989 | Sep 30, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5 years).
PDT vs PSMO 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 years both funds cover.
PDT vs PSMO Performance
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Pacer Swan SOS Moderate October ETF (PSMO) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs. Over the past year PDT returned -4.22% while PSMO returned +12.26%. Year to date, PDT is down 2.10% versus a gain of 9.51% for PSMO.
Over three years, PDT compounded at +16.15% per year against +12.10% for PSMO; over five years the annualized figures are +0.54% and +10.17% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 6.7% for PSMO. 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 -40.4% for PDT and -9.8% for PSMO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PDT charges 2.41% per year while PSMO charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $241 vs $49 annually, a gap of $192 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PDT currently yields 7.68% against 0.00% for PSMO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 120 holdings in PDT and 1 in PSMO, totalling 81.0% and 0.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, PDT as of Jul 31, 2026 and PSMO as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in PDT and 1 in PSMO, against full books of 154 and 12.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PDT and PSMO 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, PDT or PSMO?
PDT has an expense ratio of 2.41% while PSMO charges 0.49%. PSMO is the cheaper option, by $192 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PDT or PSMO?
Over the past year PDT returned -4.22% vs +12.26% for PSMO, so PSMO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PDT or PSMO?
PDT has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 6.7% for PSMO. Worst drawdown: PDT -40.4% vs PSMO -9.8%.
Should I hold both PDT and PSMO?
PDT and PSMO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PDT or PSMO?
PDT yields 7.68% while PSMO yields 0.00%, so PDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PSMO better than PDT?
PSMO has a lower expense ratio. PDT led over 3Y, PSMO over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.