INTAX vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

INTAX (Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both funds - INTAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Columbia, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Over the past 5 years, INTAX returned 0.42%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for COWZ. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. INTAX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

INTAX vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) 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, INTAX achieves a 2.38% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 8.18% return.

INTAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 2.38%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 8.75%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: 2.26%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

INTAX vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INTAX Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund	2.38%	3.80%	3.72%	7.92%	-14.56%	2.65%	5.05%	8.83%	0.51%	7.32%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.18%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between INTAX and COWZ is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	-0.01

The correlation between INTAX and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.12 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

INTAX vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

INTAX

INTAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
INTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
INTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
INTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
INTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
INTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

INTAX vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) 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.

	INTAX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.02	+0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	2.98	+0.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.36	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	4.46	-1.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	12.19	-2.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INTAX vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INTAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	INTAX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.02	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.60	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.65	+0.03

Drawdowns

INTAX vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INTAX drawdown since its inception was -36.87%, roughly equal to the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INTAX and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	INTAX	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.87%	-38.63%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.11%	-5.00%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.91%	-22.00%	+13.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.74%	-22.00%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.91%	+0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-4.81%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	1.83%	-0.90%

Volatility

INTAX vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund (INTAX) is 1.35%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 2.56%. This indicates that INTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	INTAX	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	2.56%	-1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.55%	7.12%	-4.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.63%	11.13%	-7.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.68%	17.63%	-11.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.42%	19.93%	-14.51%

INTAX vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

INTAX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

INTAX vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

INTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, more than COWZ's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
INTAX Columbia Strategic Municipal Income Fund	3.77%	4.97%	3.79%	3.08%	2.76%	2.45%	2.46%	3.45%	3.79%	3.76%	4.09%	4.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both INTAX and COWZ in my portfolio?

INTAX and COWZ have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INTAX or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to INTAX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INTAX dropped -36.87% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

INTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.02), 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.