DEW vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DEW (WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - DEW tracks the WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index while GCOW tracks the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DEW returned 9.32%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for GCOW. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

DEW vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DEW having a 12.69% return and GCOW slightly lower at 12.25%. Over the past 10 years, DEW has underperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 9.32%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively higher 9.81% annualized return.

DEW

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 12.69%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 26.94%
• 3Y*: 19.28%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 9.32%

GCOW

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 13.50%
• 1Y: 27.54%
• 3Y*: 17.57%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

DEW vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund	12.69%	22.39%	11.58%	9.39%	-2.73%	21.29%	-7.32%	20.45%	-10.58%	15.38%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.25%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DEW and GCOW is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.87

The correlation between DEW and GCOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

DEW vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEW	GCOW
Financial Services	19.7%	-
Energy	14.7%	24.4%
Utilities	10.8%	4.1%
Real Estate	10.8%	-
Healthcare	9.5%	14.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.9%	17.1%
Industrials	4.4%	12.4%
Communication Services	4.1%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	3.1%	4.6%
Basic Materials	2.8%	7.3%
Technology	2.5%	0.9%

Return for Risk

DEW vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEW

DEW Risk / Return Rank: 84
DEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DEW Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DEW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DEW vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). 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.

	DEW	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	2.56	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	3.68	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.45	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	5.80	-1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.82	15.21	+1.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEW vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEW Sharpe Ratio is 2.81, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEW and GCOW, 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

	DEW	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.81	2.56	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.92	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.61	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.59	-0.30

Drawdowns

DEW vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEW drawdown since its inception was -65.55%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEW and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEW	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.55%	-37.64%	-27.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.34%	-4.77%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.80%	-12.35%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.86%	-21.48%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.77%	-37.64%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-2.67%	+2.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.44%	-5.84%	-6.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	1.81%	-0.20%

Volatility

DEW vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) have volatilities of 2.86% and 2.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEW	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.75%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.22%	7.99%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.65%	10.80%	-1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.00%	13.48%	-0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.53%	16.20%	-0.67%

DEW vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEW vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

DEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, less than GCOW's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEW WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund	3.19%	3.71%	4.02%	4.55%	3.82%	3.55%	4.10%	3.74%	4.17%	3.18%	3.42%	4.32%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	5.39%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEW and GCOW in my portfolio?

DEW and GCOW have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEW or GCOW?

DEW has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to GCOW (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEW dropped -65.55% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, DEW or GCOW?

On 10-year performance, GCOW leads with 9.81% vs 9.32% for DEW. On fees, DEW is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEW or GCOW?

Over the 10-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 9.81% return vs 9.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEW or GCOW?

DEW is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEW or GCOW?

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.39%, compared with 3.19% for DEW.

What is the main difference between DEW and GCOW?

DEW tracks WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for DEW and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.56), 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.