GCOW vs. ACLO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and ACLO (TCW AAA CLO ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while ACLO is a CLO fund actively managed by TCW. GCOW is passively managed, while ACLO is actively managed. Over the past year, GCOW returned 27.54% vs 5.29% for ACLO. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. GCOW charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ACLO.

Performance

GCOW vs. ACLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCOW achieves a 12.25% return, which is significantly higher than ACLO's 2.20% return.

GCOW

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 13.50%
• 1Y: 27.54%
• 3Y*: 17.57%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

ACLO

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.20%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GCOW vs. ACLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.25%	27.34%	-2.22%
ACLO TCW AAA CLO ETF	2.20%	5.32%	0.81%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and ACLO is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2024	-0.06

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. ACLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

ACLO

ACLO Risk / Return Rank: 99
ACLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
ACLO Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

GCOW vs. ACLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO). 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.

	GCOW	ACLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	7.26	-4.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	14.79	-11.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	3.39	-1.94
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.80	19.82	-14.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.21	165.22	-150.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GCOW vs. ACLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is lower than the ACLO Sharpe Ratio of 7.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and ACLO, 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

	GCOW	ACLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	7.26	-4.70
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	0.59	5.09	-4.50

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. ACLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, which is greater than ACLO's maximum drawdown of -1.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and ACLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	ACLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-1.01%	-36.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.77%	-0.27%	-4.50%
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	-2.67%	-0.01%	-2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-0.05%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	0.03%	+1.78%

Volatility

GCOW vs. ACLO - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a higher volatility of 2.75% compared to TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO) at 0.14%. This indicates that GCOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	ACLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.75%	0.14%	+2.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.99%	0.57%	+7.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.80%	0.73%	+10.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.48%	1.08%	+12.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	1.08%	+15.12%

GCOW vs. ACLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ACLO's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCOW vs. ACLO - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.39%, more than ACLO's 4.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ACLO TCW AAA CLO ETF	4.91%	4.87%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	5.39%	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 GCOW and ACLO in my portfolio?

GCOW and ACLO have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GCOW or ACLO?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to ACLO (0.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs ACLO's -1.01%.

Which ETF is better, GCOW or ACLO?

On 1-year performance, GCOW leads with 27.54% vs 5.29% for ACLO. On fees, ACLO is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, ACLO has been the lower-risk option at 0.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCOW or ACLO?

Over the 1-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 27.54% return vs 5.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCOW or ACLO?

ACLO is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.39%, compared with 4.91% for ACLO.

What is the main difference between GCOW and ACLO?

GCOW is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while ACLO is CLO. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and TCW. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GCOW and 0.20% for ACLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.26 vs 2.56), 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.