COWG vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COWG is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, COWG returned 24.53%/yr vs 17.41%/yr for GCOW. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. COWG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

COWG vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) 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 stocks are quite close, with COWG having a 12.50% return and GCOW slightly lower at 12.18%.

COWG

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 8.17%
• YTD: 12.50%
• 6M: 12.76%
• 1Y: 13.36%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

COWG vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	12.50%	10.24%	34.99%	20.69%	-0.68%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	0.22%

Correlation

The correlation between COWG and GCOW is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2022	0.40

The correlation between COWG and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.40 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

COWG vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWG	GCOW
Technology	48.5%	0.9%
Healthcare	21.0%	14.6%
Energy	8.4%	24.4%
Basic Materials	6.5%	7.3%
Communication Services	5.2%	14.6%
Industrials	3.6%	12.4%
Consumer Cyclical	3.2%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	17.1%
Utilities	1.5%	4.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

COWG vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 24
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 26

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

COWG vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) 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.

	COWG	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.52	-1.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	3.63	-2.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.44	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	5.71	-4.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	15.05	-11.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COWG vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWG 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

	COWG	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	2.52	-1.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	0.59	+0.60

Drawdowns

COWG vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWG drawdown since its inception was -23.60%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWG and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWG	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.60%	-37.64%	+14.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-4.77%	-6.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.60%	-12.35%	-11.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.73%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-5.84%	+2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	1.81%	+1.86%

Volatility

COWG vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) has a higher volatility of 3.67% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.85%. This indicates that COWG'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

	COWG	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	2.85%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	7.99%	+4.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	10.81%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.11%	13.49%	+5.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	16.20%	+2.91%

COWG vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWG vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

COWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.30%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWG and GCOW in my portfolio?

COWG and GCOW have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COWG or GCOW?

COWG has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWG dropped -23.60% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, COWG or GCOW?

On 3-year performance, COWG leads with 24.53% vs 17.41% for GCOW. On fees, COWG is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWG or GCOW?

Over the 3-year period, COWG has performed better with a 24.53% return vs 17.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWG or GCOW?

COWG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COWG or GCOW?

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 0.30% for COWG.

What is the main difference between COWG and GCOW?

COWG is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. COWG tracks Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWG and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.84), 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.