COWS vs. GDE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COWS (Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF) and GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - COWS is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Kelly US Cash Flow Dividend Leaders Index, while GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree. COWS is passively managed, while GDE is actively managed. Over the past year, COWS returned 30.18% vs 53.13% for GDE. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. COWS charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GDE.

Performance

COWS vs. GDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWS achieves a 9.22% return, which is significantly lower than GDE's 9.79% return.

COWS

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 9.22%
• 6M: 9.70%
• 1Y: 30.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDE

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 53.13%
• 3Y*: 46.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

COWS vs. GDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
COWS Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF	9.22%	15.29%	11.08%	9.28%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	9.79%	73.76%	44.79%	12.59%

Correlation

The correlation between COWS and GDE is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.41

Return for Risk

COWS vs. GDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWS

COWS Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
COWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
COWS Omega Ratio Rank: 53
COWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
COWS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 49
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

COWS vs. GDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). 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.

	COWS	GDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.88	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.32	+0.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	2.36	+2.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.35	7.34	+7.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COWS vs. GDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWS Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the GDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWS and GDE, 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

	COWS	GDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	1.88	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	1.15	-0.25

Drawdowns

COWS vs. GDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWS drawdown since its inception was -24.76%, smaller than the maximum GDE drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWS and GDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWS	GDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.76%	-32.01%	+7.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.44%	-22.66%	+16.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-11.17%	+10.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.95%	-7.88%	+3.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	7.26%	-5.15%

Volatility

COWS vs. GDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) is 4.58%, while WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) has a volatility of 6.65%. This indicates that COWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWS	GDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	6.65%	-2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	24.24%	-14.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.21%	28.39%	-12.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.85%	26.12%	-7.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	26.12%	-7.27%

COWS vs. GDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWS has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than GDE's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

COWS vs. GDE - Dividend Comparison

COWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than GDE's 3.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
COWS Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF	1.60%	2.04%	2.08%	0.67%	0.00%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	3.94%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWS and GDE in my portfolio?

COWS and GDE have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COWS or GDE?

GDE has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to COWS (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWS dropped -24.76% vs GDE's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, COWS or GDE?

On 1-year performance, GDE leads with 53.13% vs 30.18% for COWS. On fees, COWS is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, COWS has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COWS or GDE?

Over the 1-year period, GDE has performed better with a 53.13% return vs 30.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWS or GDE?

COWS is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COWS or GDE?

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 3.94%, compared with 1.60% for COWS.

What is the main difference between COWS and GDE?

COWS is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while GDE is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for COWS and 0.20% for GDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.88), 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.