CGXU vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGXU (Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. CGXU is actively managed, while ICOW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGXU returned 18.00%/yr vs 20.17%/yr for ICOW. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGXU charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

CGXU vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF (CGXU) 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, CGXU achieves a 19.90% return, which is significantly higher than ICOW's 17.35% return.

CGXU

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 10.58%
• YTD: 19.90%
• 6M: 22.54%
• 1Y: 41.14%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

CGXU vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGXU Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF	19.90%	26.31%	4.36%	15.75%	-14.34%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-6.78%

Correlation

The correlation between CGXU and ICOW is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2022	0.83

The correlation between CGXU and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

CGXU vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CGXU	ICOW
Technology	21.6%	6.2%
Industrials	15.4%	28.7%
Financial Services	13.9%	-
Basic Materials	11.0%	5.4%
Communication Services	10.5%	8.9%
Energy	7.5%	23.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	11.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	8.5%
Healthcare	4.7%	7.1%
Utilities	2.5%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

CGXU vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGXU

CGXU Risk / Return Rank: 62
CGXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
CGXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
CGXU Omega Ratio Rank: 60
CGXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
CGXU Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

CGXU vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF (CGXU) 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.

	CGXU	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.87	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	3.72	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.50	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	4.91	-1.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	17.54	-5.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGXU vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGXU Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGXU 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

	CGXU	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.87	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.55	+0.01

Drawdowns

CGXU vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGXU drawdown since its inception was -25.64%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGXU and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGXU	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.64%	-43.49%	+17.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.14%	-8.02%	-5.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.63%	-14.81%	-6.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-0.64%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.66%	-7.59%	+0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	2.24%	+1.28%

Volatility

CGXU vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF (CGXU) has a higher volatility of 7.31% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 4.41%. This indicates that CGXU'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

	CGXU	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.31%	4.41%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.05%	10.59%	+6.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.83%	13.73%	+6.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.93%	16.64%	+3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	18.47%	+1.46%

CGXU vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGXU has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGXU vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

CGXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CGXU Capital Group International Focus Equity ETF	4.43%	5.31%	1.01%	0.99%	0.95%	0.00%	0.00%	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 CGXU and ICOW in my portfolio?

CGXU and ICOW have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGXU or ICOW?

CGXU has higher volatility (7.31%) compared to ICOW (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGXU dropped -25.64% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, CGXU or ICOW?

On 3-year performance, ICOW leads with 20.17% vs 18.00% for CGXU. On fees, CGXU is cheaper at 0.54% 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, CGXU or ICOW?

Over the 3-year period, ICOW has performed better with a 20.17% return vs 18.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGXU or ICOW?

CGXU is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

CGXU has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 2.12% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between CGXU and ICOW?

They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for CGXU and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.09), 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.