COWZ vs. VSIAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) and VSIAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while VSIAX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, COWZ returned 10.13%/yr vs 8.17%/yr for VSIAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COWZ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSIAX.

Performance

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWZ achieves a 6.93% return, which is significantly lower than VSIAX's 13.57% return.

COWZ

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 6.93%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 18.17%
• 3Y*: 13.01%
• 5Y*: 10.13%
• 10Y*: —

VSIAX

• 1D: 2.03%
• 1M: 4.01%
• YTD: 13.57%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 26.77%
• 3Y*: 16.20%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

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

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VSIAX Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.57%	9.09%	11.34%	17.06%	-9.31%	28.10%	5.80%	22.76%	-12.24%	11.80%

Correlation

The correlation between COWZ and VSIAX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016	0.88

The correlation between COWZ and VSIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COWZ	VSIAX
Healthcare	21.8%	7.9%
Energy	16.9%	5.2%
Technology	16.0%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	10.9%	4.0%
Communication Services	10.4%	2.5%
Industrials	8.4%	18.1%
Basic Materials	3.7%	6.3%
Financial Services	-	17.6%
Real Estate	-	10.1%
Utilities	-	4.8%

Return for Risk

COWZ vs. VSIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 62
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 52
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VSIAX

VSIAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VSIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VSIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VSIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VSIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. VSIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIAX). 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.

	COWZ	VSIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.74	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.57	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	3.02	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.73	10.71	-0.98

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the VSIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWZ and VSIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWZ drawdown since its inception was -38.63%, smaller than the maximum VSIAX drawdown of -45.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWZ and VSIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	COWZ	VSIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.63%	-45.39%	+6.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.00%	-8.87%	+3.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.00%	-24.09%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.00%	-24.09%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	0.00%	-2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.80%	-5.48%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	2.50%	-0.62%

Volatility

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is 3.27%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIAX) has a volatility of 4.44%. This indicates that COWZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COWZ	VSIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.27%	4.44%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.20%	10.78%	-3.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.19%	15.38%	-4.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	19.80%	-2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.91%	22.46%	-2.55%

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VSIAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWZ vs. VSIAX - Dividend Comparison

COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, more than VSIAX's 1.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VSIAX Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.73%	1.95%	1.98%	2.10%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COWZ and VSIAX in my portfolio?

COWZ and VSIAX have a correlation of 0.77, 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 VSIAX?

VSIAX has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to COWZ (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWZ dropped -38.63% vs VSIAX's -45.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 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.