GCOW vs. VIGI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI).

GCOW and VIGI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GCOW is a passively managed fund by Pacer that tracks the performance of the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. It was launched on Feb 23, 2016. VIGI is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ International DividendAchieversSelect Index. It was launched on Feb 25, 2016. Both GCOW and VIGI are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

GCOW vs. VIGI - Performance Comparison

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

GCOW vs. VIGI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.89%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	-1.38%	16.88%	2.73%	16.30%	-16.79%	12.51%	14.66%	27.53%	-11.50%	27.97%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GCOW achieves a 12.89% return, which is significantly higher than VIGI's -1.38% return. Over the past 10 years, GCOW has outperformed VIGI with an annualized return of 10.17%, while VIGI has yielded a comparatively lower 7.81% annualized return.

GCOW

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 12.89%
• 6M: 18.87%
• 1Y: 30.54%
• 3Y*: 16.78%
• 5Y*: 13.59%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

VIGI

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: -4.63%
• YTD: -1.38%
• 6M: 0.59%
• 1Y: 10.50%
• 3Y*: 9.01%
• 5Y*: 4.56%
• 10Y*: 7.81%

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

GCOW vs. VIGI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GCOW has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGI's 0.15% expense ratio.

GCOW

Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF

VIGI

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF

Return for Risk

GCOW vs. VIGI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 92
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 93
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VIGI

VIGI Risk / Return Rank: 35
VIGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VIGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VIGI Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VIGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VIGI Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. VIGI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) and Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI). 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	VIGI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	0.68	+1.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	1.04	+1.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.14	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	0.99	+1.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	3.69	+10.52
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. VIGI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GCOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the VIGI Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GCOW and VIGI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GCOW	VIGI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	0.68	+1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.01	0.32	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.49	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.51	+0.08

Correlation

The correlation between GCOW and VIGI is 0.76, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

GCOW vs. VIGI - Dividend Comparison

GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than VIGI's 2.23% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.41%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	2.23%	2.14%	1.93%	1.92%	2.06%	7.02%	1.29%	1.83%	1.99%	1.75%	1.05%

Drawdowns

GCOW vs. VIGI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GCOW drawdown since its inception was -37.64%, which is greater than VIGI's maximum drawdown of -31.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GCOW and VIGI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GCOW	VIGI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.64%	-31.01%	-6.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-10.64%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.48%	-28.80%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.64%	-31.01%	-6.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.11%	-6.29%	+4.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.90%	-6.23%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	2.84%	-0.66%

Volatility

GCOW vs. VIGI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is 3.45%, while Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) has a volatility of 6.25%. This indicates that GCOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GCOW	VIGI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	6.25%	-2.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	9.92%	-2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.89%	15.54%	-1.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.48%	14.41%	-0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.24%	15.87%	+0.37%