IVLU vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IVLU (iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - IVLU tracks the MSCI World ex USA Enhanced Value while ICOW tracks the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IVLU returned 14.01%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IVLU charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

IVLU vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (IVLU) 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, IVLU achieves a 12.64% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

IVLU

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 12.64%
• 6M: 16.60%
• 1Y: 35.35%
• 3Y*: 24.56%
• 5Y*: 14.01%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

ICOW

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 39.15%
• 3Y*: 20.17%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

IVLU vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVLU iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF	12.64%	46.09%	6.76%	20.07%	-5.73%	15.60%	-4.50%	15.60%	-15.10%	12.01%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IVLU and ICOW is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.87

The correlation between IVLU and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVLU vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVLU	ICOW
Financial Services	25.3%	-
Industrials	17.2%	28.7%
Technology	11.3%	6.2%
Healthcare	9.7%	7.1%
Basic Materials	7.5%	5.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	11.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	8.5%
Energy	5.1%	23.7%
Communication Services	4.0%	8.9%
Utilities	3.3%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

IVLU vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVLU

IVLU Risk / Return Rank: 66
IVLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IVLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
IVLU Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IVLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IVLU Martin Ratio Rank: 63

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 84
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

IVLU vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (IVLU) 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.

	IVLU	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.87	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.72	-0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.50	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	4.91	-1.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.57	17.54	-5.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVLU vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVLU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IVLU	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.87	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.61	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.55	-0.07

Drawdowns

IVLU vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVLU drawdown since its inception was -41.85%, roughly equal to the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVLU and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVLU	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.85%	-43.49%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.69%	-8.02%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.48%	-14.81%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.04%	-28.48%	+2.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.64%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-7.59%	-1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.24%	+0.82%

Volatility

IVLU vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (IVLU) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) have volatilities of 4.63% and 4.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVLU	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	4.41%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.20%	10.59%	+1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	13.73%	+1.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.48%	16.64%	-0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.66%	18.47%	-0.81%

IVLU vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVLU has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVLU vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

IVLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, more than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.12%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%
IVLU iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF	3.29%	3.71%	4.46%	4.69%	3.59%	3.47%	2.05%	3.53%	2.82%	2.87%	2.53%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVLU and ICOW in my portfolio?

IVLU and ICOW have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVLU or ICOW?

IVLU has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to ICOW (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVLU dropped -41.85% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, IVLU or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, IVLU leads with 14.01% vs 10.06% for ICOW. On fees, IVLU is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVLU or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, IVLU has performed better with a 14.01% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVLU or ICOW?

IVLU is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

IVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.12% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between IVLU and ICOW?

IVLU tracks MSCI World ex USA Enhanced Value, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IVLU and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.36), 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.