HERD vs. ICOW

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

HERD (Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HERD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index, while ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HERD returned 10.88%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for ICOW. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HERD charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

HERD vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HERD achieves a 16.91% return, which is significantly higher than ICOW's 14.59% return.

HERD

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 5.99%
• 6M: 11.85%
• YTD: 16.91%
• 1Y: 29.79%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 10.88%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.16%

ICOW

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 4.34%
• 6M: 6.55%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 1Y: 31.79%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 10.28%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.63%

*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)
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	$174.50K	$189.12K	$184.31K
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	$9.40M	$8.02M	$8.97M

HERD vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	16.91%	19.07%	2.91%	20.72%	-6.96%	28.58%	10.71%	6.95%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	14.59%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	4.72%

Correlation

The correlation between HERD and ICOW is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 7, 2019	0.68

The correlation between HERD and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

HERD vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HERD	ICOW
Consumer Cyclical	17.8%	14.4%
Healthcare	16.9%	8.3%
Technology	16.3%	7.7%
Industrials	11.9%	25.2%
Energy	10.4%	11.9%
Consumer Defensive	10.1%	10.1%
Communication Services	8.8%	12.7%
Basic Materials	6.2%	9.9%
Utilities	1.3%	-
Real Estate	0.4%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

HERD vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HERD

HERD Risk / Return Rank: 92
HERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
HERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HERD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
HERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HERD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 81
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 83
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

HERD vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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.

	HERD	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.20	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	2.88	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	3.58	+1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.36	9.91	+6.45

HERD vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HERD Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HERD and ICOW, 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

HERD vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HERD drawdown since its inception was -39.41%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HERD and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	HERD	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.41%	-43.49%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.68%	-8.92%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.90%	-14.81%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.60%	-27.79%	+6.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.97%	+2.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.50%	-7.55%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.83%	3.22%	-1.39%

Volatility

HERD vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) has a higher volatility of 3.43% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 3.24%. This indicates that HERD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HERD	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.43%	3.24%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.76%	11.96%	-3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.76%	14.52%	-2.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.69%	16.74%	+0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	18.44%	+1.92%

HERD vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

HERD has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

HERD vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

HERD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than ICOW's 2.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HERD Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF	2.68%	3.75%	2.43%	2.54%	2.50%	2.02%	1.95%	1.69%	0.00%	0.00%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.23%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HERD and ICOW in my portfolio?

HERD and ICOW have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HERD or ICOW?

HERD has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to ICOW (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HERD dropped -39.41% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, HERD or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, HERD leads with 10.88% vs 10.28% for ICOW. On fees, ICOW is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HERD or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, HERD has performed better with a 10.88% return vs 10.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HERD or ICOW?

ICOW is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for HERD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HERD or ICOW?

HERD has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 2.23% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between HERD and ICOW?

HERD is categorized as Global Equities, while ICOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. HERD tracks Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.73% for HERD and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.20), 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.