LQDW vs. MILK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LQDW (iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) and MILK (Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - LQDW tracks the CBOE LQD BuyWrite Index while MILK tracks the Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LQDW returned 6.49% vs 9.79% for MILK. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LQDW charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for MILK.

Performance

LQDW vs. MILK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW) and Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LQDW achieves a 1.25% return, which is significantly lower than MILK's 2.43% return.

LQDW

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 6.49%
• 3Y*: 3.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MILK

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 2.43%
• 6M: 2.03%
• 1Y: 9.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LQDW vs. MILK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LQDW iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	1.25%	9.05%	-0.18%
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	2.43%	7.49%	-0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between LQDW and MILK is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.73

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

Return for Risk

LQDW vs. MILK — Risk / Return Rank

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

LQDW

LQDW Risk / Return Rank: 54
LQDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
LQDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
LQDW Omega Ratio Rank: 61
LQDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
LQDW Martin Ratio Rank: 54

MILK

MILK Risk / Return Rank: 54
MILK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
MILK Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
MILK Omega Ratio Rank: 54
MILK Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
MILK Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

LQDW vs. MILK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW) and Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK). 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.

	LQDW	MILK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.89	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.74	-0.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.55	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	9.20	+0.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LQDW vs. MILK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LQDW Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the MILK Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LQDW and MILK, 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

	LQDW	MILK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	1.89	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	1.00	-0.54

Drawdowns

LQDW vs. MILK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LQDW drawdown since its inception was -9.20%, which is greater than MILK's maximum drawdown of -6.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LQDW and MILK.

Drawdown Indicators

	LQDW	MILK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.20%	-6.16%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.59%	-3.75%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	0.00%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.35%	-1.09%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	1.04%	-0.35%

Volatility

LQDW vs. MILK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW) is 1.46%, while Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) has a volatility of 1.60%. This indicates that LQDW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MILK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LQDW	MILK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	1.60%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.02%	3.81%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.53%	5.21%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.49%	6.69%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.49%	6.69%	-1.20%

LQDW vs. MILK - Expense Ratio Comparison

LQDW has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than MILK's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

LQDW vs. MILK - Dividend Comparison

LQDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.57%, more than MILK's 7.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
LQDW iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	12.57%	16.02%	15.74%	19.28%	8.85%
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	7.02%	6.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LQDW and MILK in my portfolio?

LQDW and MILK have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LQDW or MILK?

MILK has higher volatility (1.60%) compared to LQDW (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LQDW dropped -9.20% vs MILK's -6.16%.

Which ETF is better, LQDW or MILK?

On 1-year performance, MILK leads with 9.79% vs 6.49% for LQDW. On fees, LQDW is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, LQDW has been the lower-risk option at 1.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LQDW or MILK?

Over the 1-year period, MILK has performed better with a 9.79% return vs 6.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LQDW or MILK?

LQDW is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MILK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LQDW or MILK?

LQDW has the higher dividend yield at 12.57%, compared with 7.02% for MILK.

What is the main difference between LQDW and MILK?

LQDW tracks CBOE LQD BuyWrite Index, while MILK tracks Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for LQDW and 0.49% for MILK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MILK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.85), 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.