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COWZ vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

COWZ vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, COWZ returned 10.13%/yr vs 16.85%/yr for QQQ. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. COWZ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

COWZ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWZ achieves a 6.93% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return.

COWZ

1D
0.82%
1M
1.75%
YTD
6.93%
6M
6.01%
1Y
19.20%
3Y*
13.01%
5Y*
10.13%
10Y*
—

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.22%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

COWZ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		6.93%8.98%10.64%14.73%0.19%42.57%11.65%23.41%-10.05%20.22%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between COWZ and QQQ is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.45

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016

0.58

The correlation between COWZ and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

COWZ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
COWZ
QQQ

Healthcare

21.8%
3.7%

Energy

16.9%
0.5%

Technology

16.0%
58.7%

Consumer Cyclical

11.7%
11.4%

Consumer Defensive

10.9%
6.4%

Communication Services

10.4%
14.3%

Industrials

8.4%
2.6%

Basic Materials

3.7%
1.0%

Financial Services

-

0.2%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Utilities

-

1.2%

Healthcare

COWZ
21.8%
QQQ
3.7%

Energy

COWZ
16.9%
QQQ
0.5%

Technology

COWZ
16.0%
QQQ
58.7%

Consumer Cyclical

COWZ
11.7%
QQQ
11.4%

Consumer Defensive

COWZ
10.9%
QQQ
6.4%

Communication Services

COWZ
10.4%
QQQ
14.3%

Industrials

COWZ
8.4%
QQQ
2.6%

Basic Materials

COWZ
3.7%
QQQ
1.0%

Financial Services

COWZ

-

QQQ
0.2%

Real Estate

COWZ

-

QQQ
0.1%

Utilities

COWZ

-

QQQ
1.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with COWZ:
COWZ vs. VOOCOWZ vs. VFLOCOWZ vs. SCHDCOWZ vs. GCOWCOWZ vs. COWGCOWZ vs. CALFCOWZ vs. VOOV
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

COWZ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
COWZ
COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

COWZQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.63
2.09

-0.46

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.42
2.73

-0.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.37

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.65

3.01

+0.64

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.73

11.22

-1.49

COWZ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWZ and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

COWZ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWZ drawdown since its inception was -38.63%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWZ and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

COWZQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.63%

-82.97%

+44.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.00%

-11.96%

+6.96%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.00%

-22.77%

+0.77%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.00%

-35.12%

+13.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.12%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.05%

-3.33%

+1.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.80%

-32.75%

+27.95%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.88%

3.20%

-1.32%

Volatility

COWZ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is 3.27%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that COWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

COWZQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.27%

7.56%

-4.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.20%

13.81%

-6.61%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.19%

17.19%

-6.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.64%

22.55%

-4.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.91%

22.38%

-2.47%

COWZ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWZ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		1.93%2.19%1.82%1.92%1.96%1.48%2.54%1.96%1.67%1.95%0.13%0.00%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

COWZ and QQQ have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to COWZ (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWZ dropped -38.63% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.85% vs 10.13% for COWZ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.85% return vs 10.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

COWZ is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWZ and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.63), 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.

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