JHID vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JHID (John Hancock International High Dividend ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. JHID is actively managed, while ICOW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JHID returned 22.68%/yr vs 20.34%/yr for ICOW. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JHID charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

JHID vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) 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, JHID achieves a 13.77% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

JHID

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 13.77%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 33.80%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ICOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.03%
• 1Y: 38.86%
• 3Y*: 20.34%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

JHID vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	13.77%	41.47%	3.62%	19.47%	-0.60%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-0.87%

Correlation

The correlation between JHID and ICOW is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.88

The correlation between JHID and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHID vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHID	ICOW
Financial Services	28.1%	-
Industrials	15.6%	28.7%
Technology	8.8%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	8.5%
Energy	6.6%	23.7%
Healthcare	6.5%	7.1%
Basic Materials	6.3%	5.4%
Real Estate	6.1%	-
Utilities	6.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	11.6%
Communication Services	2.7%	8.9%

Return for Risk

JHID vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHID

JHID Risk / Return Rank: 82
JHID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Omega Ratio Rank: 82
JHID Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
JHID Martin Ratio Rank: 81

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 85
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

JHID vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) 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.

	JHID	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	2.85	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.70	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.50	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	4.87	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.73	17.40	-1.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHID vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHID Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHID 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

	JHID	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	2.85	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	0.55	+1.04

Drawdowns

JHID vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHID drawdown since its inception was -12.42%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHID and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHID	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.42%	-43.49%	+31.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-8.02%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.42%	-14.81%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.63%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-7.58%	+5.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.24%	-0.09%

Volatility

JHID vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) have volatilities of 3.90% and 3.99%, 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

	JHID	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	3.99%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.40%	10.58%	-0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	13.72%	-1.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	16.64%	-2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	18.46%	-4.55%

JHID vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHID has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHID vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

JHID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, more than ICOW's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.71%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	2.86%	3.13%	5.15%	5.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHID and ICOW in my portfolio?

JHID and ICOW have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHID or ICOW?

ICOW has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to JHID (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHID dropped -12.42% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, JHID or ICOW?

On 3-year performance, JHID leads with 22.68% vs 20.34% for ICOW. On fees, JHID is cheaper at 0.46% 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, JHID or ICOW?

Over the 3-year period, JHID has performed better with a 22.68% return vs 20.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHID or ICOW?

JHID is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

JHID has the higher dividend yield at 2.86%, compared with 2.71% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between JHID and ICOW?

They also come from different issuers: John Hancock and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for JHID and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 2.69), 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.