GCOW vs. NXG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and NXG (NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund) are both funds - GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while NXG is a Global Equity Income fund actively managed by NXG. GCOW is passively managed, while NXG is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GCOW returned 16.76%/yr vs 33.57%/yr for NXG. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GCOW charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for NXG.

Performance

GCOW vs. NXG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCOW achieves a 11.39% return, which is significantly lower than NXG's 21.46% return.

GCOW

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 13.49%
• 1Y: 25.84%
• 3Y*: 16.76%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

NXG

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 21.46%
• 6M: 22.35%
• 1Y: 35.11%
• 3Y*: 33.57%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GCOW vs. NXG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	11.39%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	9.73%
NXG NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund	21.46%	25.98%	51.16%	4.54%	-5.68%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and NXG is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2022	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between GCOW and NXG has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. NXG — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 83
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 78
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

NXG

NXG Risk / Return Rank: 42
NXG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
NXG Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
NXG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
NXG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
NXG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. NXG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund (NXG). 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	NXG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	1.83	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	2.44	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.33	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	2.67	+2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.07	7.35	+6.72
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. NXG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is higher than the NXG Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and NXG, 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	NXG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	1.83	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.97	-0.38

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. NXG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, which is greater than NXG's maximum drawdown of -26.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and NXG.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	NXG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-26.14%	-11.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.77%	-13.19%	+8.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.35%	-26.14%	+13.79%
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	-3.42%	-3.26%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-6.58%	+0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	4.79%	-2.95%

Volatility

GCOW vs. NXG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is 2.48%, while NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund (NXG) has a volatility of 6.48%. This indicates that GCOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NXG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	NXG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	6.48%	-4.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.02%	14.33%	-6.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.86%	19.35%	-8.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.49%	26.89%	-13.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	26.89%	-10.69%

GCOW vs. NXG - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than NXG's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCOW vs. NXG - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, less than NXG's 11.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.72%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
NXG NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund	11.10%	12.83%	14.15%	12.00%	1.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCOW and NXG in my portfolio?

GCOW and NXG have a correlation of 0.08, 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 NXG?

NXG has higher volatility (6.48%) compared to GCOW (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs NXG's -26.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.83), 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.