GCOW vs. TRFK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) and TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while TRFK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GCOW returned 16.05%/yr vs 39.62%/yr for TRFK. Their 0.31 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

GCOW vs. TRFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). 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 TRFK's 39.17% return.

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%

TRFK

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -7.73%
• 6M: 37.75%
• YTD: 39.17%
• 1Y: 47.45%
• 3Y*: 39.62%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 36.56%

*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)
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	$12.71M	$12.72M	$12.45M
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	$17.52M	$18.57M	$19.27M

GCOW vs. TRFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	14.77%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	-4.49%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	39.17%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and TRFK is 0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2022	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between GCOW and TRFK has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

GCOW vs. TRFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GCOW	TRFK
Consumer Defensive	22.3%	-
Healthcare	17.1%	-
Communication Services	15.0%	0.6%
Energy	11.7%	-
Industrials	10.7%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Utilities	6.8%	-
Basic Materials	3.6%	0.9%
Technology	2.9%	87.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.0%

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. TRFK — 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

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 46
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 47
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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. TRFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). 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	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	1.19	+1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	1.70	+2.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.21	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	1.68	+1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	4.55	+6.60

GCOW vs. TRFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is higher than the TRFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and TRFK, 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. TRFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, which is greater than TRFK's maximum drawdown of -29.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and TRFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	TRFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-29.06%	-8.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-26.17%	+18.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.35%	-29.06%	+16.71%
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	-0.73%	-19.81%	+19.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-6.24%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	9.64%	-7.11%

Volatility

GCOW vs. TRFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is 3.59%, while Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a volatility of 17.07%. This indicates that GCOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TRFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	TRFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	17.07%	-13.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.54%	32.10%	-23.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.99%	36.82%	-25.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.55%	30.90%	-17.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	30.90%	-14.90%

GCOW vs. TRFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GCOW and TRFK have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

GCOW vs. TRFK - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than TRFK's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.40%	0.20%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GCOW and TRFK in my portfolio?

GCOW and TRFK have a correlation of 0.01, 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 TRFK?

TRFK has higher volatility (17.07%) compared to GCOW (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GCOW dropped -37.64% vs TRFK's -29.06%.

Which ETF is better, GCOW or TRFK?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 39.62% vs 16.05% for GCOW. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GCOW or TRFK?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 39.62% return vs 16.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GCOW or TRFK?

GCOW and TRFK have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

What is the main difference between GCOW and TRFK?

GCOW is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while TRFK is Technology Equities. GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index, while TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.19), 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.