DBAW vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBAW (Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - DBAW tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA US Dollar Hedged Index while ICOW tracks the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DBAW returned 11.32%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DBAW charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

DBAW vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF (DBAW) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBAW achieves a 16.12% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

DBAW

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 6.28%
• YTD: 16.12%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 36.60%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.32%
• 10Y*: 11.44%

ICOW

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 39.15%
• 3Y*: 20.17%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

DBAW vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBAW Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF	16.12%	26.47%	14.35%	16.26%	-13.35%	13.08%	7.44%	22.96%	-10.38%	6.81%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.98%

Correlation

The correlation between DBAW and ICOW is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.78

The correlation between DBAW and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

DBAW vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DBAW	ICOW
Financial Services	24.1%	-
Technology	18.7%	6.2%
Industrials	15.0%	28.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	11.6%
Healthcare	7.2%	7.1%
Basic Materials	6.8%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	8.5%
Energy	5.3%	23.7%
Communication Services	5.0%	8.9%
Utilities	3.2%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

DBAW vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBAW

DBAW Risk / Return Rank: 84
DBAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DBAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
DBAW Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DBAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DBAW Martin Ratio Rank: 83

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 84
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

DBAW vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF (DBAW) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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.

	DBAW	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	2.87	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	3.72	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.50	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.09	4.91	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.97	17.54	-0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBAW vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBAW Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBAW and ICOW, 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

	DBAW	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	2.87	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.61	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.55	+0.08

Drawdowns

DBAW vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBAW drawdown since its inception was -31.44%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBAW and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBAW	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.44%	-43.49%	+12.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.00%	-8.02%	-0.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.11%	-14.81%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.87%	-28.48%	+10.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.64%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-7.59%	+2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	2.24%	-0.08%

Volatility

DBAW vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF (DBAW) has a higher volatility of 4.71% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 4.41%. This indicates that DBAW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBAW	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	4.41%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	10.59%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.88%	13.73%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.74%	16.64%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.28%	18.47%	-3.19%

DBAW vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBAW has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBAW vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

DBAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, more than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBAW Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF	3.29%	3.83%	1.70%	3.45%	8.81%	2.05%	2.08%	2.91%	2.93%	2.41%	1.99%	5.74%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.12%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBAW and ICOW in my portfolio?

DBAW and ICOW have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBAW or ICOW?

DBAW has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to ICOW (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBAW dropped -31.44% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, DBAW or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, DBAW leads with 11.32% vs 10.06% for ICOW. On fees, DBAW is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DBAW or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, DBAW has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DBAW or ICOW?

DBAW is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DBAW or ICOW?

DBAW has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.12% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between DBAW and ICOW?

DBAW tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA US Dollar Hedged Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Deutsche Bank and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DBAW and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.86), 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.