COWG vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 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 XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, COWG returned 24.50%/yr vs 24.94%/yr for XLG. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COWG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

COWG vs. XLG - 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 Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWG achieves a 12.43% return, which is significantly higher than XLG's 8.82% return.

COWG

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 8.53%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 13.76%
• 1Y: 14.26%
• 3Y*: 24.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLG

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 5.06%
• YTD: 8.82%
• 6M: 8.60%
• 1Y: 30.80%
• 3Y*: 24.94%
• 5Y*: 16.76%
• 10Y*: 17.41%

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

COWG vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	12.43%	10.24%	34.99%	20.69%	-0.68%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	8.82%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between COWG and XLG is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2022	0.81

The correlation between COWG and XLG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

COWG vs. XLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWG	XLG
Technology	48.5%	43.9%
Healthcare	21.0%	7.0%
Energy	8.4%	2.7%
Basic Materials	6.5%	0.6%
Communication Services	5.2%	17.1%
Industrials	3.6%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.2%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	5.8%
Utilities	1.5%	-
Financial Services	-	9.6%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

COWG vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 26
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 24
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 28

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 62
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 68
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. XLG - 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 Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.33	-1.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	3.14	-1.83
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.41	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	2.55	-1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.14	9.60	-5.46
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. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWG Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWG and XLG, 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	XLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	2.33	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	0.63	+0.55

Drawdowns

COWG vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWG drawdown since its inception was -23.60%, smaller than the maximum XLG drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWG and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWG	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.60%	-52.39%	+28.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-12.41%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.60%	-20.70%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.29%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-7.64%	+4.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	3.30%	+0.37%

Volatility

COWG vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) at 2.92%. This indicates that COWG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWG	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	2.92%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	9.73%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.98%	13.28%	+2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.12%	18.68%	+0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	18.84%	+0.28%

COWG vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than XLG's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWG vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

COWG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than XLG's 0.59% 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%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.59%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWG and XLG in my portfolio?

COWG and XLG have a correlation of 0.74, 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 XLG?

COWG has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to XLG (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWG dropped -23.60% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which ETF is better, COWG or XLG?

On 3-year performance, XLG leads with 24.94% vs 24.50% for COWG. On fees, XLG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XLG has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWG or XLG?

Over the 3-year period, XLG has performed better with a 24.94% return vs 24.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWG or XLG?

XLG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWG.

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

XLG has the higher dividend yield at 0.59%, compared with 0.30% for COWG.

What is the main difference between COWG and XLG?

COWG is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while XLG is S&P 500. COWG tracks Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index, while XLG tracks S&P 500 Top 50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWG and 0.20% for XLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 0.90), 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.