FCNTX vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FCNTX (Fidelity Contrafund) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both funds - FCNTX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Over the past 5 years, FCNTX returned 14.50%/yr vs 10.11%/yr for COWZ. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FCNTX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCNTX achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 6.41% return.

FCNTX

• 1D: -2.98%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 6.20%
• 1Y: 19.84%
• 3Y*: 26.22%
• 5Y*: 14.50%
• 10Y*: 17.20%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 6.41%
• 6M: 7.19%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 13.26%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: —

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

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	6.03%	21.76%	36.00%	38.67%	-28.31%	24.52%	32.48%	30.00%	-3.81%	32.18%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	6.41%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FCNTX and COWZ is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between FCNTX and COWZ has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCNTX	COWZ
Technology	27.0%	16.0%
Communication Services	21.2%	10.4%
Financial Services	13.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	11.7%
Healthcare	9.2%	21.8%
Industrials	8.6%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	10.9%
Energy	3.6%	16.9%
Basic Materials	2.1%	3.7%
Utilities	0.5%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

FCNTX vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCNTX

FCNTX Risk / Return Rank: 30
FCNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FCNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FCNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FCNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FCNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 64
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 55
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). 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.

	FCNTX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.74	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	2.58	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.31	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.88	-1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.00	10.52	-2.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCNTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCNTX and COWZ, 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

	FCNTX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.74	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.58	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.64	+0.14

Drawdowns

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCNTX drawdown since its inception was -49.19%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCNTX and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCNTX	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.19%	-38.63%	-10.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-5.00%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.75%	-22.00%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.59%	-22.00%	-10.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-2.53%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.16%	-4.80%	-3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.84%	+0.82%

Volatility

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.92%. This indicates that FCNTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCNTX	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	2.92%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.93%	7.21%	+3.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.35%	11.16%	+3.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.19%	17.64%	+1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.70%	19.92%	-0.22%

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCNTX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCNTX vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

FCNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, more than COWZ's 1.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.94%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	4.40%	5.21%	4.19%	3.78%	11.87%	10.80%	8.01%	4.16%	7.46%	6.08%	3.81%	5.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCNTX and COWZ in my portfolio?

FCNTX and COWZ have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCNTX or COWZ?

FCNTX has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to COWZ (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCNTX dropped -49.19% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.49), 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.