GCOW vs. FNDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and FNDX (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - GCOW tracks the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index while FNDX tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GCOW returned 9.91%/yr vs 14.26%/yr for FNDX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GCOW charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDX.

Performance

GCOW vs. FNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCOW achieves a 12.18% return, which is significantly lower than FNDX's 14.57% return. Over the past 10 years, GCOW has underperformed FNDX with an annualized return of 9.91%, while FNDX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.26% annualized return.

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%

FNDX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 14.57%
• 6M: 14.58%
• 1Y: 32.32%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: 14.26%

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

GCOW vs. FNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	14.57%	16.94%	16.77%	18.23%	-6.92%	31.73%	9.12%	28.65%	-7.30%	17.12%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and FNDX is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.77

The correlation between GCOW and FNDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.77 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GCOW vs. FNDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GCOW	FNDX
Energy	24.4%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	17.1%	7.4%
Healthcare	14.6%	12.0%
Communication Services	14.6%	10.1%
Industrials	12.4%	9.3%
Basic Materials	7.3%	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	9.2%
Utilities	4.1%	3.2%
Technology	0.9%	19.1%
Financial Services	-	14.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. FNDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

FNDX

FNDX Risk / Return Rank: 90
FNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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. FNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX). 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	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	3.18	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	4.47	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.59	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.71	5.35	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.05	20.97	-5.92
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. FNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the FNDX Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and FNDX, 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	FNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	3.18	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.85	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.82	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.79	-0.21

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. FNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, roughly equal to the maximum FNDX drawdown of -37.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and FNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	FNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-37.72%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.77%	-6.06%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.35%	-16.30%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.48%	-19.06%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.64%	-37.72%	+0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.73%	-0.13%	-2.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-3.55%	-2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	1.55%	+0.26%

Volatility

GCOW vs. FNDX - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a higher volatility of 2.85% compared to Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX) at 2.25%. This indicates that GCOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	FNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	2.25%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.99%	7.25%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.81%	10.22%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.49%	15.18%	-1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	17.50%	-1.30%

GCOW vs. FNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCOW vs. FNDX - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than FNDX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDX Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF	1.45%	1.63%	1.76%	1.82%	2.07%	1.64%	2.29%	2.23%	2.40%	1.86%	2.01%	2.01%
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 GCOW and FNDX in my portfolio?

GCOW and FNDX have a correlation of 0.59, 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 FNDX?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to FNDX (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs FNDX's -37.72%.

Which ETF is better, GCOW or FNDX?

On 10-year performance, FNDX leads with 14.26% vs 9.91% for GCOW. On fees, FNDX is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FNDX has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCOW or FNDX?

Over the 10-year period, FNDX has performed better with a 14.26% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCOW or FNDX?

FNDX is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 1.45% for FNDX.

What is the main difference between GCOW and FNDX?

GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while FNDX tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US Large Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GCOW and 0.25% for FNDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 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.