FGD vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 9.79%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for GCOW. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

FGD vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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, FGD achieves a 11.09% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FGD having a 9.79% annualized return and GCOW not far ahead at 9.91%.

FGD

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 11.09%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 33.36%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

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)

FGD vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	11.09%	44.42%	5.71%	8.20%	-7.25%	20.83%	-5.23%	20.64%	-12.49%	17.87%
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 FGD and GCOW is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.86

The correlation between FGD and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.86 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FGD vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FGD	GCOW
Financial Services	33.6%	-
Industrials	14.3%	12.4%
Energy	10.0%	24.4%
Communication Services	9.3%	14.6%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	4.6%
Basic Materials	6.4%	7.3%
Utilities	4.9%	4.1%
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Technology	1.2%	0.9%
Healthcare	-	14.6%

Return for Risk

FGD vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 74
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FGD vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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.

	FGD	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.52	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	3.63	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.44	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	5.71	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.03	15.05	-3.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGD vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD 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

	FGD	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.52	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.92	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.61	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.59	-0.33

Drawdowns

FGD vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGD	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.05%	-37.64%	-30.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-4.77%	-5.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.50%	-12.35%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.68%	-21.48%	-7.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.84%	-37.64%	-7.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	-2.73%	+0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.57%	-5.84%	-6.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	1.81%	+0.97%

Volatility

FGD vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) has a higher volatility of 3.20% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.85%. This indicates that FGD'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

	FGD	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	2.85%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.73%	7.99%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.56%	10.81%	+1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.92%	13.49%	+1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	16.20%	+2.03%

FGD vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, more than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.09%	5.62%	5.87%	6.44%	5.74%	5.35%	6.17%	5.19%	5.88%	4.01%	4.36%	5.07%
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 FGD and GCOW in my portfolio?

FGD and GCOW have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGD or GCOW?

FGD has higher volatility (3.20%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, FGD or GCOW?

On 10-year performance, GCOW leads with 9.91% vs 9.79% for FGD. On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. 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, FGD or GCOW?

Over the 10-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 9.91% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FGD or GCOW?

FGD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.09%, compared with 4.43% for GCOW.

What is the main difference between FGD and GCOW?

FGD is categorized as Global Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.52), 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.