COWG vs. PHSKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and PHSKX (Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, COWG returned 24.53%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for PHSKX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COWG charges 0.49%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for PHSKX.

Performance

COWG vs. PHSKX - 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 Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWG achieves a 12.50% return, which is significantly higher than PHSKX's -4.48% return.

COWG

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

PHSKX

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.14%
• YTD: -4.48%
• 6M: -7.23%
• 1Y: -9.90%
• 3Y*: 3.01%
• 5Y*: -3.09%
• 10Y*: 10.71%

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

COWG vs. PHSKX - 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%
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	-4.48%	-3.58%	7.43%	22.00%	-0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between COWG and PHSKX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2022	0.85

The correlation between COWG and PHSKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

COWG vs. PHSKX — 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

PHSKX

PHSKX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PHSKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PHSKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PHSKX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PHSKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PHSKX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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. PHSKX - 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 Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX). 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	PHSKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	-0.49	+1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	-0.56	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	0.93	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	-0.39	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	-0.94	+4.58
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. PHSKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the PHSKX Sharpe Ratio of -0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWG and PHSKX, 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	PHSKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	-0.49	+1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	0.34	+0.84

Drawdowns

COWG vs. PHSKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWG drawdown since its inception was -23.60%, smaller than the maximum PHSKX drawdown of -81.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWG and PHSKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWG	PHSKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.60%	-81.79%	+58.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-23.77%	+12.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.60%	-27.26%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-46.87%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-28.91%	+28.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-29.39%	+26.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	9.84%	-6.17%

Volatility

COWG vs. PHSKX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) is 3.67%, while Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PHSKX) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that COWG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PHSKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWG	PHSKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	5.95%	-2.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	14.64%	-2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	18.91%	-2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.11%	24.80%	-5.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	23.55%	-4.44%

COWG vs. PHSKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than PHSKX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWG vs. PHSKX - Dividend Comparison

COWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than PHSKX's 48.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
PHSKX Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund	48.52%	46.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.53%	0.10%	0.62%	2.19%	6.10%	1.60%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWG and PHSKX in my portfolio?

COWG and PHSKX have a correlation of 0.82, 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 PHSKX?

PHSKX has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to COWG (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWG dropped -23.60% vs PHSKX's -81.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs -0.49), 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.