ECOW vs. RFEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECOW (Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF) and RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. ECOW is passively managed, while RFEM is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ECOW returned 6.12%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for RFEM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ECOW charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for RFEM.

Performance

ECOW vs. RFEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECOW achieves a 13.10% return, which is significantly lower than RFEM's 21.66% return.

ECOW

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 13.10%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 35.35%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: —

RFEM

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 21.66%
• 6M: 23.54%
• 1Y: 45.49%
• 3Y*: 24.73%
• 5Y*: 8.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

ECOW vs. RFEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ECOW Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.10%	32.50%	3.17%	15.79%	-19.28%	7.47%	-2.51%	10.37%
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF	21.66%	27.71%	10.85%	20.78%	-19.05%	0.97%	8.19%	8.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ECOW and RFEM 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	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 7, 2019	0.70

The correlation between ECOW and RFEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

ECOW vs. RFEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECOW	RFEM
Communication Services	18.4%	5.7%
Energy	16.1%	6.6%
Industrials	15.5%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	11.4%
Technology	9.8%	35.8%
Basic Materials	9.6%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	3.4%
Utilities	7.9%	1.4%
Healthcare	1.6%	2.7%
Financial Services	-	20.4%
Real Estate	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

ECOW vs. RFEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECOW

ECOW Risk / Return Rank: 77
ECOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ECOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ECOW Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ECOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ECOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

RFEM

RFEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
RFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
RFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
RFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
RFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

ECOW vs. RFEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM). 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.

	ECOW	RFEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.71	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	3.63	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.49	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.25	3.92	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.39	15.99	-0.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECOW vs. RFEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the RFEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECOW and RFEM, 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

	ECOW	RFEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.71	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.51	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.52	-0.15

Drawdowns

ECOW vs. RFEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECOW drawdown since its inception was -40.27%, roughly equal to the maximum RFEM drawdown of -42.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECOW and RFEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECOW	RFEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.27%	-42.22%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.35%	-11.65%	+3.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.77%	-15.81%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.67%	-34.73%	+1.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.53%	-1.39%	-2.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-11.98%	+0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	2.85%	-0.55%

Volatility

ECOW vs. RFEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW) is 4.66%, while First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) has a volatility of 6.86%. This indicates that ECOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RFEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECOW	RFEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	6.86%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	14.37%	-3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.19%	16.85%	-2.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	17.88%	-0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.13%	19.81%	+0.32%

ECOW vs. RFEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECOW has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEM's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECOW vs. RFEM - Dividend Comparison

ECOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.60%, more than RFEM's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ECOW Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF	4.60%	5.20%	7.35%	5.46%	7.50%	4.39%	3.35%	8.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF	1.68%	1.98%	3.64%	3.28%	7.74%	3.21%	1.22%	3.75%	2.37%	1.62%	3.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECOW and RFEM in my portfolio?

ECOW and RFEM 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, ECOW or RFEM?

RFEM has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to ECOW (4.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECOW dropped -40.27% vs RFEM's -42.22%.

Which ETF is better, ECOW or RFEM?

On 5-year performance, RFEM leads with 8.99% vs 6.12% for ECOW. On fees, ECOW is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, ECOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECOW or RFEM?

Over the 5-year period, RFEM has performed better with a 8.99% return vs 6.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECOW or RFEM?

ECOW is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for RFEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ECOW or RFEM?

ECOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.60%, compared with 1.68% for RFEM.

What is the main difference between ECOW and RFEM?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ECOW and 0.95% for RFEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.50), 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.