FCFY vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCFY (First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - FCFY tracks the S&P 500 Sector-Neutral FCF Index - Benchmark TR Gross while GCOW tracks the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FCFY returned 20.70% vs 27.12% for GCOW. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FCFY vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) 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, FCFY achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return.

FCFY

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 5.88%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 4.54%
• 1Y: 20.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

FCFY vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FCFY First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF	3.09%	16.76%	11.28%	11.06%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	7.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FCFY and GCOW is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2023	0.54

The correlation between FCFY and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCFY vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCFY	GCOW
Technology	37.4%	0.9%
Financial Services	11.5%	-
Communication Services	10.3%	14.6%
Healthcare	10.1%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	4.6%
Industrials	5.8%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	17.1%
Energy	4.0%	24.4%
Utilities	2.5%	4.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	7.3%

Return for Risk

FCFY vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCFY

FCFY Risk / Return Rank: 34
FCFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
FCFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FCFY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
FCFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
FCFY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

FCFY vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) 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.

	FCFY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.52	-1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.63	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.44	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	5.71	-3.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	15.05	-10.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCFY vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCFY Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCFY 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

	FCFY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	2.52	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.59	+0.30

Drawdowns

FCFY vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCFY drawdown since its inception was -21.36%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCFY and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCFY	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.36%	-37.64%	+16.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-4.77%	-7.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.17%	-2.73%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.50%	-5.84%	+2.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	1.81%	+2.66%

Volatility

FCFY vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) has a higher volatility of 4.72% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.85%. This indicates that FCFY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCFY	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	2.85%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.29%	7.99%	+3.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	10.81%	+5.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.54%	13.49%	+4.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	16.20%	+1.34%

FCFY vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FCFY and GCOW have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FCFY vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

FCFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FCFY First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF	1.43%	1.48%	1.76%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCFY and GCOW in my portfolio?

FCFY and GCOW have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCFY or GCOW?

FCFY has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCFY dropped -21.36% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, FCFY or GCOW?

On 1-year performance, GCOW leads with 27.12% vs 20.70% for FCFY. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCFY or GCOW?

Over the 1-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 27.12% return vs 20.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCFY or GCOW?

FCFY and GCOW have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 1.43% for FCFY.

What is the main difference between FCFY and GCOW?

FCFY tracks S&P 500 Sector-Neutral FCF Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.28), 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.