COWZ vs. FISMX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) and FISMX (Fidelity International Small Cap Fund) are both funds - COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while FISMX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 5 years, COWZ returned 10.11%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for FISMX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. COWZ charges 0.49%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for FISMX.

Performance

COWZ vs. FISMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with COWZ having a 6.41% return and FISMX slightly higher at 6.71%.

COWZ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 6.41%
• 6M: 7.19%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 13.26%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: —

FISMX

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -2.46%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 14.65%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 8.45%

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

COWZ vs. FISMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	6.41%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund	6.71%	24.73%	0.05%	19.62%	-16.66%	13.44%	9.98%	21.45%	-16.08%	31.58%

Correlation

The correlation between COWZ and FISMX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.63

The correlation between COWZ and FISMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

COWZ vs. FISMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 64
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 55
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 64

FISMX

FISMX Risk / Return Rank: 19
FISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
FISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

COWZ vs. FISMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX). 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.

	COWZ	FISMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.18	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	1.72	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	1.37	+2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.52	4.89	+5.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COWZ vs. FISMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the FISMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWZ and FISMX, 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

	COWZ	FISMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.18	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.41	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.72	-0.09

Drawdowns

COWZ vs. FISMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWZ drawdown since its inception was -38.63%, smaller than the maximum FISMX drawdown of -60.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWZ and FISMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWZ	FISMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.63%	-60.94%	+22.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.00%	-10.71%	+5.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.00%	-12.70%	-9.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.00%	-31.07%	+9.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.53%	-4.19%	+1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.80%	-10.64%	+5.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	3.00%	-1.16%

Volatility

COWZ vs. FISMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is 2.92%, while Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX) has a volatility of 4.04%. This indicates that COWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FISMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWZ	FISMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	4.04%	-1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.21%	10.46%	-3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	12.47%	-1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	13.61%	+4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.92%	14.07%	+5.85%

COWZ vs. FISMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FISMX's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWZ vs. FISMX - Dividend Comparison

COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than FISMX's 3.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.94%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund	3.36%	3.58%	2.64%	1.87%	0.70%	7.28%	0.83%	2.32%	6.14%	2.46%	2.70%	2.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWZ and FISMX in my portfolio?

COWZ and FISMX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COWZ or FISMX?

FISMX has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to COWZ (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWZ dropped -38.63% vs FISMX's -60.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.18), 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.