COWG vs. QQQG

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and QQQG (Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders 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 QQQG is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Pacer. COWG is passively managed, while QQQG is actively managed. Over the past year, COWG returned 8.75% vs 38.51% for QQQG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.49% expense ratio.

Performance

COWG vs. QQQG - 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 Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWG achieves a 7.28% return, which is significantly lower than QQQG's 29.97% return.

COWG

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -1.35%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 5.34%
• 1Y: 8.75%
• 3Y*: 22.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQG

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 29.97%
• 6M: 27.35%
• 1Y: 38.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

COWG vs. QQQG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	7.28%	10.24%	15.51%
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	29.97%	14.72%	1.68%

Correlation

The correlation between COWG and QQQG is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2024	0.88

The correlation between COWG and QQQG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

COWG vs. QQQG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWG	QQQG
Technology	51.4%	74.2%
Healthcare	20.0%	10.4%
Energy	7.3%	2.3%
Basic Materials	6.3%	-
Communication Services	5.7%	5.2%
Industrials	3.1%	2.2%
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	2.0%
Utilities	1.4%	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

COWG vs. QQQG — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 18
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 16
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 21

QQQG

QQQG Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QQQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
QQQG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QQQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QQQG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. QQQG - 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 Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	COWG	QQQG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.76	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.81	2.34	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.31	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	2.81	-1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.35	9.82	-7.46

COWG vs. QQQG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the QQQG Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWG and QQQG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

COWG vs. QQQG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWG drawdown since its inception was -23.60%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQG drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWG and QQQG.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWG	QQQG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.60%	-23.61%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-13.79%	+3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.64%	-5.04%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.27%	-3.58%	+0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	3.93%	-0.20%

Volatility

COWG vs. QQQG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) is 7.09%, while Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) has a volatility of 11.40%. This indicates that COWG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWG	QQQG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.09%	11.40%	-4.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.18%	18.71%	-5.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.02%	22.09%	-5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.26%	24.32%	-5.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.26%	24.32%	-5.06%

COWG vs. QQQG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both COWG and QQQG have an expense ratio of 0.49%.

Dividends

COWG vs. QQQG - Dividend Comparison

COWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, more than QQQG's 0.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.38%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.05%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWG and QQQG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, COWG and QQQG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, COWG or QQQG?

QQQG has higher volatility (11.40%) compared to COWG (7.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWG dropped -23.60% vs QQQG's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, COWG or QQQG?

On 1-year performance, QQQG leads with 38.51% vs 8.75% for COWG. Both ETFs have the same 0.49% expense ratio. On volatility, COWG has been the lower-risk option at 7.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWG or QQQG?

Over the 1-year period, QQQG has performed better with a 38.51% return vs 8.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWG or QQQG?

COWG and QQQG have the same expense ratio: 0.49% per year.

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

COWG has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.05% for QQQG.

What is the main difference between COWG and QQQG?

COWG is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while QQQG is Nasdaq-100.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 0.52), 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.