ALTL vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALTL (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ALTL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index, while ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ALTL returned 5.04%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ALTL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

ALTL vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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 ALTL having a 16.90% return and ICOW slightly higher at 17.35%.

ALTL

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 12.43%
• YTD: 16.90%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 44.84%
• 3Y*: 13.86%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: —

ICOW

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 39.15%
• 3Y*: 20.17%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

ALTL vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	16.90%	16.61%	12.30%	-15.85%	-10.67%	45.30%	33.74%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	31.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTL and ICOW is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2020	0.56

The correlation between ALTL and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

ALTL vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ALTL	ICOW
Utilities	26.8%	-
Financial Services	16.6%	-
Real Estate	14.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	10.8%	8.5%
Industrials	10.2%	28.7%
Healthcare	6.8%	7.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	11.6%
Technology	4.6%	6.2%
Basic Materials	2.0%	5.4%
Energy	0.9%	23.7%
Communication Services	0.8%	8.9%

Return for Risk

ALTL vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALTL

ALTL Risk / Return Rank: 78
ALTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ALTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ALTL Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ALTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
ALTL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 84
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

ALTL vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) 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.

	ALTL	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.87	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.72	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.50	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.60	4.91	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.35	17.54	-1.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALTL vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTL Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTL 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

	ALTL	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.87	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.61	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.55	+0.18

Drawdowns

ALTL vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTL drawdown since its inception was -31.91%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTL and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTL	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.91%	-43.49%	+11.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.79%	-8.02%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.21%	-14.81%	-6.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.91%	-28.48%	-3.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.64%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.58%	-7.59%	-3.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	2.24%	+0.51%

Volatility

ALTL vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) has a higher volatility of 7.26% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 4.41%. This indicates that ALTL'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

	ALTL	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.26%	4.41%	+2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	10.59%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.05%	13.73%	+4.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	16.64%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.09%	18.47%	+1.62%

ALTL vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTL vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

ALTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	0.94%	0.95%	1.56%	1.28%	1.23%	1.06%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.12%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALTL and ICOW in my portfolio?

ALTL and ICOW have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALTL or ICOW?

ALTL has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to ICOW (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTL dropped -31.91% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, ALTL or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, ICOW leads with 10.06% vs 5.04% for ALTL. On fees, ALTL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALTL or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, ICOW has performed better with a 10.06% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALTL or ICOW?

ALTL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.12%, compared with 0.94% for ALTL.

What is the main difference between ALTL and ICOW?

ALTL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ICOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. ALTL tracks Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for ALTL and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.51), 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.