COWG vs. VUG

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - COWG tracks the Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, COWG returned 22.10%/yr vs 23.65%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COWG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

COWG vs. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWG achieves a 11.54% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 7.73% return.

COWG

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 1Y: 13.89%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 2.61%
• 6M: 7.03%
• YTD: 7.73%
• 1Y: 19.25%
• 3Y*: 23.65%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

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

COWG vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	11.54%	10.24%	34.99%	20.69%	-0.68%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	7.73%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-2.06%

Correlation

The correlation between COWG and VUG is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.84

The correlation between COWG and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

COWG vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWG	VUG
Technology	51.4%	56.5%
Healthcare	20.0%	4.6%
Energy	7.3%	0.3%
Basic Materials	6.3%	0.6%
Communication Services	5.7%	15.9%
Industrials	3.1%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	11.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	1.3%
Utilities	1.4%	0.7%
Financial Services	-	4.0%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

COWG vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 25
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 34
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	1.12	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	1.60	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.20	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	1.16	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.33	3.83	-0.50

COWG vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWG and VUG, 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. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWG drawdown since its inception was -23.60%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWG and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWG	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.60%	-50.68%	+27.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-16.53%	+5.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.60%	-22.85%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.28%	-3.09%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-7.08%	+3.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	4.99%	-1.24%

Volatility

COWG vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) has a higher volatility of 7.63% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 6.54%. This indicates that COWG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWG	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	6.54%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.04%	13.81%	+0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.73%	17.08%	+0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.36%	22.42%	-3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.36%	21.50%	-2.14%

COWG vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWG vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

COWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.36%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWG and VUG in my portfolio?

COWG and VUG have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VUG?

COWG has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to VUG (6.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWG dropped -23.60% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, COWG or VUG?

On 3-year performance, VUG leads with 23.65% vs 22.10% for COWG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 6.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWG or VUG?

Over the 3-year period, VUG has performed better with a 23.65% return vs 22.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWG or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWG.

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

VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.36% for COWG.

What is the main difference between COWG and VUG?

COWG tracks Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWG and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.71), 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.