ICOW vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend 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 GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ICOW returned 9.39%/yr vs 11.84%/yr for GCOW. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ICOW charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

ICOW vs. GCOW - 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 Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICOW achieves a 10.95% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 7.34% return.

ICOW

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -4.46%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 17.69%
• 5Y*: 9.39%
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -6.00%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 7.96%
• 1Y: 20.98%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 11.84%
• 10Y*: 9.95%

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

ICOW vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	10.95%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.93%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	7.34%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	8.62%

Correlation

The correlation between ICOW and GCOW is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2017	0.83

The correlation between ICOW and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ICOW vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICOW	GCOW
Industrials	29.1%	12.6%
Energy	21.3%	22.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	4.8%
Communication Services	8.7%	14.5%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	17.0%
Technology	7.8%	1.3%
Healthcare	6.7%	14.8%
Basic Materials	5.6%	8.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	4.0%

Return for Risk

ICOW vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 68
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 71

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 59
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. GCOW - 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 Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). 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	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.90	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.72	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.33	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	3.04	+0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.73	10.58	+2.14

ICOW vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICOW Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICOW and GCOW, 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. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICOW drawdown since its inception was -43.49%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICOW and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICOW	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.49%	-37.64%	-5.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-6.93%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.81%	-12.35%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.79%	-21.48%	-6.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.06%	-6.93%	+0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.56%	-5.83%	-1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	1.99%	+0.41%

Volatility

ICOW vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) has a higher volatility of 5.67% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.95%. This indicates that ICOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICOW	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	2.95%	+2.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	8.29%	+3.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	11.11%	+3.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.75%	13.50%	+3.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.50%	16.17%	+2.33%

ICOW vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICOW has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICOW vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

ICOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than GCOW's 4.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.90%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.30%	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 GCOW in my portfolio?

ICOW and GCOW have a correlation of 0.74, 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 GCOW?

ICOW has higher volatility (5.67%) compared to GCOW (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICOW dropped -43.49% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, ICOW or GCOW?

On 5-year performance, GCOW leads with 11.84% vs 9.39% for ICOW. On fees, GCOW is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ICOW or GCOW?

Over the 5-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 11.84% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICOW or GCOW?

GCOW is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.90%, compared with 2.30% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between ICOW and GCOW?

ICOW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ICOW and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.90), 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.