GCOW vs. FGD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GCOW returned 9.89%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for FGD. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GCOW charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for FGD.

Performance

GCOW vs. FGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCOW achieves a 14.77% return, which is significantly lower than FGD's 16.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GCOW having a 9.89% annualized return and FGD not far ahead at 10.22%.

GCOW

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.47%
• 6M: 7.25%
• YTD: 14.77%
• 1Y: 27.77%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 9.89%
• ALL TIME*: 10.57%

FGD

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 6.03%
• 6M: 9.85%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 32.70%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 10.22%
• ALL TIME*: 6.18%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	$7.82M	$6.03M	$6.77M
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	$12.71M	$12.72M	$12.45M

GCOW vs. FGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	14.77%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	16.13%	44.42%	5.71%	8.20%	-7.25%	20.83%	-5.23%	20.64%	-12.49%	17.87%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and FGD is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2016	0.86

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

GCOW vs. FGD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GCOW	FGD
Consumer Defensive	22.3%	4.7%
Healthcare	17.1%	-
Communication Services	15.0%	1.9%
Energy	11.7%	0.9%
Industrials	10.7%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	3.8%
Utilities	6.8%	0.9%
Basic Materials	3.6%	0.9%
Technology	2.9%	0.9%
Financial Services	-	10.4%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. FGD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 90
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 93
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 89
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GCOW vs. FGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	GCOW	FGD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	2.56	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	3.49	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	3.25	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	10.99	+0.16

GCOW vs. FGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is comparable to the FGD Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and FGD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. FGD - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	FGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-68.05%	+30.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-9.82%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.35%	-11.50%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.48%	-28.68%	+7.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.64%	-44.84%	+7.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.43%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-12.48%	+6.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.90%	-0.37%

Volatility

GCOW vs. FGD - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a higher volatility of 3.59% compared to First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) at 2.34%. This indicates that GCOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	FGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	2.34%	+1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.54%	10.00%	-1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.99%	12.49%	-1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.55%	14.85%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	17.91%	-1.91%

GCOW vs. FGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FGD's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCOW vs. FGD - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, less than FGD's 5.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.03%	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	4.58%	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 GCOW and FGD in my portfolio?

GCOW and FGD 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, GCOW or FGD?

GCOW has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to FGD (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs FGD's -68.05%.

Which ETF is better, GCOW or FGD?

On 10-year performance, FGD leads with 10.22% vs 9.89% for GCOW. On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 2.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCOW or FGD?

Over the 10-year period, FGD has performed better with a 10.22% return vs 9.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCOW or FGD?

FGD is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 4.58% for GCOW.

What is the main difference between GCOW and FGD?

GCOW is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while FGD is Global Equities. GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GCOW and 0.55% for FGD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 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.