COWZ vs. RLY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) and RLY (SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while RLY is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by State Street. COWZ is passively managed, while RLY is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, COWZ returned 10.11%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for RLY. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. COWZ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for RLY.

Performance

COWZ vs. RLY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWZ achieves a 6.41% return, which is significantly lower than RLY's 14.36% return.

COWZ

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

RLY

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 14.36%
• 6M: 16.24%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 13.90%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

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

COWZ vs. RLY - 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%
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	14.36%	20.26%	2.53%	2.56%	7.86%	22.85%	-0.59%	15.63%	-11.72%	10.40%

Correlation

The correlation between COWZ and RLY is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.71

Over the past year, the correlation between COWZ and RLY has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.71, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

COWZ vs. RLY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWZ	RLY
Healthcare	21.8%	0.8%
Energy	16.9%	30.1%
Technology	16.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	2.6%
Consumer Defensive	10.9%	3.6%
Communication Services	10.4%	-
Industrials	8.4%	16.5%
Basic Materials	3.7%	25.1%
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	5.4%
Utilities	-	15.9%

Return for Risk

COWZ vs. RLY — 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

RLY

RLY Risk / Return Rank: 91
RLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RLY Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. RLY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY). 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	RLY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.73	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	3.69	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.51	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	7.16	-3.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.52	25.86	-15.34
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. RLY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is lower than the RLY Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWZ and RLY, 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	RLY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.73	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.73	-0.15
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	0.36	+0.27

Drawdowns

COWZ vs. RLY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWZ drawdown since its inception was -38.63%, roughly equal to the maximum RLY drawdown of -37.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWZ and RLY.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWZ	RLY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.63%	-37.75%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.00%	-3.93%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.00%	-10.08%	-11.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.00%	-18.94%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.53%	-3.93%	+1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.80%	-9.45%	+4.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	1.09%	+0.75%

Volatility

COWZ vs. RLY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is 2.92%, while SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) has a volatility of 3.47%. This indicates that COWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RLY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWZ	RLY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	3.47%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.21%	8.46%	-1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.16%	10.34%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	13.57%	+4.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.92%	13.83%	+6.09%

COWZ vs. RLY - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than RLY's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWZ vs. RLY - Dividend Comparison

COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than RLY's 2.93% 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%
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	2.93%	3.24%	3.31%	3.71%	5.66%	12.15%	2.16%	3.45%	2.76%	1.85%	2.07%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWZ and RLY in my portfolio?

COWZ and RLY have a correlation of 0.49, 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 RLY?

RLY has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to COWZ (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWZ dropped -38.63% vs RLY's -37.75%.

Which ETF is better, COWZ or RLY?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.11% vs 9.85% for RLY. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, COWZ 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, COWZ or RLY?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.11% return vs 9.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COWZ or RLY?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RLY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COWZ or RLY?

RLY has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 1.94% for COWZ.

What is the main difference between COWZ and RLY?

COWZ is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while RLY is Hedge Fund. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWZ and 0.50% for RLY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.74), 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.