ICOW vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ICOW returned 9.94%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for COWZ. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICOW charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

ICOW vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICOW achieves a 12.39% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 3.91% return.

ICOW

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: -3.31%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 13.42%
• 1Y: 31.02%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: —

COWZ

• 1D: -2.25%
• 1M: -1.99%
• YTD: 3.91%
• 6M: 3.91%
• 1Y: 16.11%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

ICOW vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	12.39%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.93%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	3.91%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	14.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ICOW and COWZ is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2017	0.70

The correlation between ICOW and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ICOW vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICOW	COWZ
Industrials	29.1%	8.4%
Energy	21.3%	16.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	11.7%
Communication Services	8.7%	10.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	10.9%
Technology	7.8%	16.0%
Healthcare	6.7%	21.8%
Basic Materials	5.6%	3.7%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ICOW vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 73
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 75

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 49
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

ICOW vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	ICOW	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.43	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	2.10	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	3.23	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.28	8.50	+4.78

ICOW vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICOW and COWZ, 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

ICOW vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICOW drawdown since its inception was -43.49%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICOW and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICOW	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.49%	-38.63%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-5.00%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.81%	-22.00%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.79%	-22.00%	-5.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.83%	-4.82%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-4.80%	-2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	1.90%	+0.44%

Volatility

ICOW vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) has a higher volatility of 5.82% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 3.88%. This indicates that ICOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICOW	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.82%	3.88%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.73%	7.55%	+4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.64%	11.38%	+3.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	17.65%	-0.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.50%	19.91%	-1.41%

ICOW vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICOW has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICOW vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

ICOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, more than COWZ's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.99%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.27%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICOW and COWZ in my portfolio?

ICOW and COWZ have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICOW or COWZ?

ICOW has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to COWZ (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICOW dropped -43.49% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, ICOW or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.57% vs 9.94% for ICOW. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICOW or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.57% return vs 9.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICOW or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 1.99% for COWZ.

What is the main difference between ICOW and COWZ?

ICOW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ICOW and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.43), 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.