BRK-B vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock, while COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) is Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Over the past 5 years, BRK-B returned 11.03%/yr vs 10.11%/yr for COWZ. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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, BRK-B achieves a -3.11% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 6.41% return.

BRK-B

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: -3.11%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -1.32%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 6.41%
• 6M: 7.19%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 13.26%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: —

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

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-3.11%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	6.41%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between BRK-B and COWZ is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between BRK-B and COWZ has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BRK-B vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 35
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 37

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 64
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 55
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) 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.

	BRK-B	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.09	1.74	-1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.03	2.58	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	3.88	-4.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.30	10.52	-10.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRK-B Sharpe Ratio is -0.09, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRK-B 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

	BRK-B	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09	1.74	-1.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.58	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.64	-0.15

Drawdowns

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRK-B drawdown since its inception was -53.86%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRK-B and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRK-B	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.86%	-38.63%	-15.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.42%	-5.00%	-4.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-22.00%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	-22.00%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.78%	-2.53%	-7.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-4.80%	-6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.84%	+2.65%

Volatility

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.92%. This indicates that BRK-B's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRK-B	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	2.92%	+1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	7.21%	+3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	11.16%	+3.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	17.64%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	19.92%	-0.48%

Dividends

BRK-B vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders, while COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.94%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRK-B and COWZ in my portfolio?

BRK-B and COWZ have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRK-B or COWZ?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to COWZ (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRK-B dropped -53.86% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs -0.09), 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.