KNG vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNG (FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KNG is a Dividend fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KNG returned 4.31%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for GCOW. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. KNG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

KNG vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) 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, KNG achieves a 2.20% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return.

KNG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.20%
• 6M: 2.33%
• 1Y: 7.44%
• 3Y*: 7.06%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: —

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)

KNG vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	2.20%	6.63%	5.99%	7.48%	-7.03%	24.78%	7.21%	26.64%	-0.84%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-4.00%

Correlation

The correlation between KNG and GCOW is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.73

The correlation between KNG and GCOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

KNG vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KNG	GCOW
Consumer Defensive	23.5%	17.1%
Industrials	20.3%	12.4%
Financial Services	12.7%	-
Basic Materials	10.2%	7.3%
Healthcare	10.1%	14.6%
Utilities	6.1%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	4.6%
Real Estate	4.4%	-
Technology	4.3%	0.9%
Energy	3.0%	24.4%
Communication Services	-	14.6%

Return for Risk

KNG vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNG

KNG Risk / Return Rank: 20
KNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
KNG Omega Ratio Rank: 19
KNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
KNG Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

KNG vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) 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.

	KNG	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	2.52	-1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	3.63	-2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.44	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	5.71	-4.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.25	15.05	-12.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNG vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNG Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNG 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

	KNG	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	2.52	-1.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.92	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.59	-0.09

Drawdowns

KNG vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNG drawdown since its inception was -35.12%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNG and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNG	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.12%	-37.64%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-4.77%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.24%	-12.35%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.20%	-21.48%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.89%	-2.73%	-3.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.13%	-5.84%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	1.81%	+1.51%

Volatility

KNG vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF (KNG) is 2.29%, while Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that KNG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KNG	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	2.85%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.39%	7.99%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.19%	10.81%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.59%	13.49%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.18%	16.20%	+0.98%

KNG vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNG vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

KNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%, more than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
KNG FT Cboe Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETF	8.67%	8.61%	9.08%	5.91%	4.00%	3.45%	3.62%	4.09%	3.46%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNG and GCOW in my portfolio?

KNG and GCOW have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNG or GCOW?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to KNG (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNG dropped -35.12% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, KNG or GCOW?

On 5-year performance, GCOW leads with 12.34% vs 4.31% for KNG. On fees, GCOW is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, KNG has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNG or GCOW?

Over the 5-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNG or GCOW?

GCOW is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for KNG.

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

KNG has the higher dividend yield at 8.67%, compared with 4.43% for GCOW.

What is the main difference between KNG and GCOW?

KNG is categorized as Dividend, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. KNG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Index Monthly Series, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for KNG and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.73), 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.