IDVY vs. GCOW

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

IDVY (First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq International Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

IDVY vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

IDVY

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 2.63%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -3.37%
• 6M: 7.30%
• YTD: 8.94%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

IDVY vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IDVY First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	3.59%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IDVY and GCOW is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2026	0.33

IDVY vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDVY	GCOW
Financial Services	30.9%	-
Industrials	29.9%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	4.8%
Technology	11.9%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	17.0%
Basic Materials	2.8%	8.1%
Energy	2.2%	22.9%
Healthcare	2.1%	14.8%
Utilities	1.5%	4.0%
Communication Services	0.9%	14.5%
Real Estate	0.4%	-

Return for Risk

IDVY vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDVY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 63
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

IDVY vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (IDVY) 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.

	IDVY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.72	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.52	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.44	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.76	—

Drawdowns

IDVY vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDVY drawdown since its inception was -13.52%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDVY and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDVY	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.52%	-37.64%	+24.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.83%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.35%	—
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	-1.55%	-5.54%	+3.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.97%	-5.83%	+1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.46%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IDVY	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.06%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.61%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.34%	11.15%	+14.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.34%	13.52%	+11.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.34%	15.99%	+9.35%

IDVY vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IDVY vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

IDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, less than GCOW's 4.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.83%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
IDVY First Trust International Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDVY and GCOW in my portfolio?

IDVY and GCOW have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IDVY or GCOW?

Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDVY or GCOW?

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

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.83%, compared with 0.77% for IDVY.

What is the main difference between IDVY and GCOW?

IDVY is categorized as Dividend, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. IDVY tracks Nasdaq International Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer.