FXO vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FXO (First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXO is a Financials Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Financials Index, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXO returned 7.68%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for COWZ. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXO charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

FXO vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) 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, FXO achieves a -2.21% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 8.55% return.

FXO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: -2.21%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 10.94%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 11.99%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 14.57%
• 5Y*: 10.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

FXO vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	-2.21%	13.59%	27.72%	9.28%	-9.24%	37.76%	5.95%	26.31%	-11.72%	17.88%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.55%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FXO and COWZ is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.79

The correlation between FXO and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FXO vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXO	COWZ
Financial Services	94.3%	-
Real Estate	5.1%	-
Technology	0.6%	16.0%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Communication Services	-	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	10.9%
Energy	-	16.9%
Healthcare	-	21.8%
Industrials	-	8.4%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXO vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXO

FXO Risk / Return Rank: 21
FXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FXO Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FXO Martin Ratio Rank: 22

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 70
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

FXO vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) 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.

	FXO	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.17	-1.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	3.19	-2.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.38	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	4.83	-3.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.83	13.22	-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.

FXO vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXO Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXO 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

	FXO	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.17	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.61	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.65	-0.34

Drawdowns

FXO vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXO drawdown since its inception was -71.30%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXO and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXO	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-38.63%	-32.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.72%	-5.00%	-6.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.35%	-22.00%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.80%	-22.00%	-6.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.14%	-0.57%	-4.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.12%	-4.81%	-8.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.89%	1.83%	+2.06%

Volatility

FXO vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.59%. This indicates that FXO'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

	FXO	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	2.59%	+1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.69%	7.12%	+3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.58%	11.12%	+4.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	17.63%	+4.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.13%	19.93%	+4.20%

FXO vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXO has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXO vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

FXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, more than COWZ's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.98%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	2.21%	1.78%	1.97%	2.98%	2.49%	1.91%	2.60%	1.72%	2.60%	1.62%	1.35%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXO and COWZ in my portfolio?

FXO and COWZ have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXO or COWZ?

FXO has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to COWZ (2.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXO dropped -71.30% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, FXO or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.74% vs 7.68% for FXO. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 2.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXO or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.74% return vs 7.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXO or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXO or COWZ?

FXO has the higher dividend yield at 2.21%, compared with 1.98% for COWZ.

What is the main difference between FXO and COWZ?

FXO is categorized as Financials Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. FXO tracks StrataQuant Financials Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXO and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.71), 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.