ADX vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ADX (Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both funds - ADX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Adams Funds, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. ADX is actively managed, while GCOW is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ADX returned 18.02%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for GCOW. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ADX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

ADX vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ADX having a 10.92% return and GCOW slightly higher at 11.39%. Over the past 10 years, ADX has outperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 18.02%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.99% annualized return.

ADX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 10.92%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 16.71%
• 10Y*: 18.02%

GCOW

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 13.49%
• 1Y: 25.84%
• 3Y*: 16.76%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

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

ADX vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	10.92%	26.03%	28.31%	31.49%	-19.82%	29.69%	17.28%	36.75%	-3.58%	29.61%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	11.39%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ADX and GCOW is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between ADX and GCOW has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ADX vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

ADX

ADX Risk / Return Rank: 62
ADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ADX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ADX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 83
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 78
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

ADX vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). 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.

	ADX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.39	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.45	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	5.44	-2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.48	14.07	+1.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADX vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADX and GCOW, 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

	ADX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.39	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	0.91	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	0.62	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.58	-0.31

Drawdowns

ADX vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADX drawdown since its inception was -71.60%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADX and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADX	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.60%	-37.64%	-33.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-4.77%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.29%	-12.35%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.07%	-21.48%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.17%	-37.64%	+0.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-3.42%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.13%	-5.84%	-16.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.84%	+0.08%

Volatility

ADX vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.48%. This indicates that ADX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADX	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	2.48%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.77%	8.02%	+2.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.93%	10.86%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	13.49%	+3.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	16.20%	+1.83%

ADX vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

ADX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ADX vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

ADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.52%, more than GCOW's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	7.52%	7.93%	12.38%	7.34%	7.36%	15.35%	6.54%	9.00%	15.85%	9.18%	7.79%	7.17%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.72%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADX and GCOW in my portfolio?

ADX and GCOW have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADX or GCOW?

ADX has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to GCOW (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADX dropped -71.60% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.14), 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.