GCOW vs. SCHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and SCHY (Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while SCHY is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GCOW returned 12.34%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for SCHY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GCOW charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for SCHY.

Performance

GCOW vs. SCHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY). 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 higher than SCHY's 7.94% 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%

SCHY

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.39%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 7.96%
• 10Y*: —

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

GCOW vs. SCHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	3.86%
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	7.94%	33.98%	-1.79%	14.27%	-9.43%	4.08%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and SCHY is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2021	0.86

The correlation between GCOW and SCHY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

GCOW vs. SCHY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GCOW	SCHY
Energy	24.4%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	17.1%	14.8%
Healthcare	14.6%	4.0%
Communication Services	14.6%	15.8%
Industrials	12.4%	13.8%
Basic Materials	7.3%	5.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	7.9%
Utilities	4.1%	7.4%
Technology	0.9%	3.8%
Financial Services	-	15.8%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. SCHY — 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

SCHY

SCHY Risk / Return Rank: 51
SCHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SCHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SCHY Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SCHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SCHY Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. SCHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY). 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	SCHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	1.89	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	2.59	+1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.34	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.71	2.47	+3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.05	7.90	+7.15
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. SCHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the SCHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and SCHY, 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	SCHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	1.89	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.60	+0.32
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	0.66	-0.07

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. SCHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, which is greater than SCHY's maximum drawdown of -24.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and SCHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	SCHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-24.04%	-13.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.77%	-9.11%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.35%	-12.16%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.48%	-24.04%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.73%	-5.13%	+2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-4.97%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	2.84%	-1.03%

Volatility

GCOW vs. SCHY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is 2.85%, while Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) has a volatility of 3.41%. This indicates that GCOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	SCHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	3.41%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.99%	9.79%	-1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.81%	11.90%	-1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.49%	13.25%	+0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	13.23%	+2.97%

GCOW vs. SCHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHY's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GCOW vs. SCHY - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than SCHY's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	3.44%	3.55%	4.64%	3.97%	3.67%	1.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCOW and SCHY in my portfolio?

GCOW and SCHY have a correlation of 0.80, 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 SCHY?

SCHY has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs SCHY's -24.04%.

Which ETF is better, GCOW or SCHY?

On 5-year performance, GCOW leads with 12.34% vs 7.96% for SCHY. On fees, SCHY is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCOW or SCHY?

Over the 5-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 7.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCOW or SCHY?

SCHY is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 3.44% for SCHY.

What is the main difference between GCOW and SCHY?

GCOW is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SCHY is Dividend. GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while SCHY tracks Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GCOW and 0.08% for SCHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.89), 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.