DVY vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DVY (iShares Select Dividend ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - DVY tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index while GCOW tracks the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DVY returned 10.13%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for GCOW. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DVY charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

DVY vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DVY achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DVY having a 10.13% annualized return and GCOW not far behind at 9.91%.

DVY

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 10.36%
• 1Y: 21.04%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

DVY vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	9.70%	11.60%	16.24%	1.12%	1.80%	31.70%	-4.91%	22.62%	-6.36%	14.82%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DVY and GCOW is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.74

The correlation between DVY and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.74 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DVY vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVY	GCOW
Financial Services	24.9%	-
Utilities	24.2%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	13.5%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	4.6%
Energy	9.1%	24.4%
Communication Services	6.0%	14.6%
Healthcare	5.0%	14.6%
Technology	3.4%	0.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	7.3%
Industrials	2.1%	12.4%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DVY vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVY

DVY Risk / Return Rank: 57
DVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DVY Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
DVY Martin Ratio Rank: 60

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DVY vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) 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.

	DVY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.52	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	3.63	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.44	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	5.71	-2.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	15.05	-4.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVY vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVY 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

	DVY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	2.52	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.92	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.61	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.59	-0.11

Drawdowns

DVY vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVY drawdown since its inception was -62.59%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVY and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVY	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.59%	-37.64%	-24.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.89%	-4.77%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.00%	-12.35%	-3.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.54%	-21.48%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.59%	-37.64%	-3.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.96%	-2.73%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.79%	-5.84%	-2.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.81%	+0.14%

Volatility

DVY vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) have volatilities of 2.79% and 2.85%, 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

	DVY	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	2.85%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	7.99%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.14%	10.81%	+0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.20%	13.49%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	16.20%	+1.81%

DVY vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVY has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVY vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

DVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	3.41%	3.65%	3.65%	3.82%	3.43%	3.12%	3.66%	3.41%	3.58%	3.00%	3.04%	3.45%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	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 DVY and GCOW in my portfolio?

DVY and GCOW have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVY or GCOW?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to DVY (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVY dropped -62.59% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, DVY or GCOW?

On 10-year performance, DVY leads with 10.13% vs 9.91% for GCOW. On fees, DVY is cheaper at 0.39% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DVY or GCOW?

Over the 10-year period, DVY has performed better with a 10.13% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVY or GCOW?

DVY is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 3.41% for DVY.

What is the main difference between DVY and GCOW?

DVY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for DVY and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.90), 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.