AAAAX vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AAAAX (DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both funds - AAAAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by DWS, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Over the past 5 years, AAAAX returned 4.78%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for COWZ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAAAX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAAAX achieves a 10.01% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 8.55% return.

AAAAX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -2.85%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 11.03%
• 1Y: 15.86%
• 3Y*: 11.17%
• 5Y*: 4.78%
• 10Y*: 7.12%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 14.57%
• 5Y*: 10.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAAAX DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A	10.01%	12.82%	5.24%	2.30%	-9.91%	23.45%	3.71%	21.42%	-5.36%	14.67%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.55%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between AAAAX and COWZ is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between AAAAX and COWZ has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AAAAX vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAAAX

AAAAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
AAAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
AAAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AAAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
AAAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
AAAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 70
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). 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.

	AAAAX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.17	-0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.19	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	4.83	-1.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	13.22	-1.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAAAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAAAX and COWZ, 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

	AAAAX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.17	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.61	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.65	-0.27

Drawdowns

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAAAX drawdown since its inception was -40.47%, roughly equal to the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAAAX and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAAAX	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.47%	-38.63%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.68%	-5.00%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.17%	-22.00%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.62%	-22.00%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.32%	-0.57%	-2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.85%	-4.81%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.83%	-0.30%

Volatility

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A (AAAAX) is 2.46%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 2.59%. This indicates that AAAAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAAAX	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.46%	2.59%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.33%	7.12%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.03%	11.12%	-2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.12%	17.63%	-5.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.69%	19.93%	-7.24%

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAAAX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAAAX vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

AAAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than COWZ's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAAAX DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund - Class A	3.22%	3.54%	2.45%	2.08%	4.17%	2.31%	1.33%	1.81%	1.61%	1.52%	1.47%	2.15%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.98%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAAAX and COWZ in my portfolio?

AAAAX and COWZ have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAAAX or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (2.59%) compared to AAAAX (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAAAX dropped -40.47% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.87), 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.