IWX vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWX (iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - IWX tracks the Russell Top 200 Value Index while GCOW tracks the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWX returned 11.66%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for GCOW. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

IWX vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (IWX) 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, IWX achieves a 13.79% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, IWX has outperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 11.66%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.

IWX

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 13.79%
• 6M: 14.63%
• 1Y: 28.65%
• 3Y*: 18.86%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: 11.66%

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

IWX vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWX iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF	13.79%	18.23%	14.89%	10.45%	-5.33%	23.33%	1.46%	25.82%	-6.53%	14.05%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IWX and GCOW 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	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between IWX and GCOW has dropped to 0.56 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWX vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWX	GCOW
Financial Services	21.5%	-
Technology	14.2%	0.9%
Healthcare	12.5%	14.6%
Industrials	11.3%	12.4%
Communication Services	11.0%	14.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.2%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	4.6%
Energy	6.4%	24.4%
Utilities	3.2%	4.1%
Basic Materials	3.0%	7.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

IWX vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWX

IWX Risk / Return Rank: 85
IWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
IWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IWX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
IWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
IWX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

IWX vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (IWX) 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.

	IWX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	2.52	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.06	3.63	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.44	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	5.71	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.76	15.05	+3.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWX vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IWX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	2.52	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.92	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.61	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.59	+0.12

Drawdowns

IWX vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWX drawdown since its inception was -35.76%, roughly equal to the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWX and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWX	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.76%	-37.64%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.59%	-4.77%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.37%	-12.35%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.13%	-21.48%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.76%	-37.64%	+1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.73%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-5.84%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.81%	-0.28%

Volatility

IWX vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (IWX) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) have volatilities of 2.83% and 2.85%, 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

	IWX	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	2.85%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	7.99%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.02%	10.81%	-0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.85%	13.49%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	16.20%	+0.31%

IWX vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWX vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

IWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	0.00%
IWX iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF	1.48%	1.59%	1.97%	2.13%	2.07%	1.79%	2.12%	2.60%	2.66%	2.12%	2.22%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWX and GCOW in my portfolio?

IWX and GCOW 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, IWX or GCOW?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to IWX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWX dropped -35.76% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, IWX or GCOW?

On 10-year performance, IWX leads with 11.66% vs 9.91% for GCOW. On fees, IWX is cheaper at 0.20% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWX or GCOW?

Over the 10-year period, IWX has performed better with a 11.66% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWX or GCOW?

IWX is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 1.48% for IWX.

What is the main difference between IWX and GCOW?

IWX tracks Russell Top 200 Value Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IWX and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.52), 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.