ACWX vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - ACWX tracks the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index while ICOW tracks the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACWX returned 8.41%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

ACWX vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWX achieves a 14.55% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

ACWX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 14.55%
• 6M: 16.91%
• 1Y: 31.47%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 9.51%

ICOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.03%
• 1Y: 38.86%
• 3Y*: 20.34%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

ACWX vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	14.55%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	10.40%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.98%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and ICOW is 0.83, 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	0.83
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 Jun 20, 2017	0.86

The correlation between ACWX and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWX vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	ICOW
Financial Services	23.3%	-
Technology	22.4%	6.2%
Industrials	14.0%	28.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	11.6%
Healthcare	6.7%	7.1%
Basic Materials	6.7%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	8.5%
Energy	4.8%	23.7%
Communication Services	4.7%	8.9%
Utilities	2.8%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	-

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 61
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 85
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

ACWX vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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.

	ACWX	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.85	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	3.70	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.50	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	4.87	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.77	17.40	-6.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACWX vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and ICOW, 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

	ACWX	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.85	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.61	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.55	-0.32

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than ICOW's maximum drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-43.49%	-16.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-8.02%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-14.81%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-28.48%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-0.63%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.33%	-7.58%	-5.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	2.24%	+0.69%

Volatility

ACWX vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 3.99%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	3.99%	+1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.26%	10.58%	+2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	13.72%	+1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	16.64%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	18.46%	-1.08%

ACWX vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.46%, less than ICOW's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.46%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.71%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and ICOW in my portfolio?

ACWX and ICOW have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACWX or ICOW?

ACWX has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to ICOW (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, ICOW leads with 10.06% vs 8.41% for ACWX. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, ICOW has performed better with a 10.06% return vs 8.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or ICOW?

ACWX is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWX or ICOW?

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 2.46% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and ICOW?

ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 2.04), 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.