MCOW vs. QDEF
MCOW (Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - MCOW tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MCOW charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.
Performance
MCOW vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MCOW achieves a 8.57% return, which is significantly lower than QDEF's 10.48% return.
MCOW
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- 6M
- 7.96%
- YTD
- 8.57%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
QDEF
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 1.68%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- YTD
- 10.48%
- 1Y
- 20.97%
- 3Y*
- 17.66%
- 5Y*
- 12.34%
- 10Y*
- 12.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.72%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5.40K | $63.77K | $46.18K | |
| $546.87K | $522.47K | $732.31K |
MCOW vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
MCOW Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF | 8.57% | -3.62% |
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 10.48% | 4.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between MCOW and QDEF is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2025 | 0.70 |
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Return for Risk
MCOW vs. QDEF — Risk / Return Rank
MCOW
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
QDEF
MCOW vs. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF (MCOW) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MCOW | QDEF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.38 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.93 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.20 | — |
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Drawdowns
MCOW vs. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MCOW drawdown since its inception was -15.02%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCOW and QDEF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MCOW | QDEF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.02% | -35.74% | +20.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -6.95% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -14.43% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -21.37% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.74% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.87% | -0.58% | -1.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.19% | -3.27% | -0.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.67% | — |
Volatility
MCOW vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| MCOW | QDEF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 2.29% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 7.47% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.51% | 9.85% | +7.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.51% | 13.77% | +3.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.51% | 16.14% | +1.37% |
MCOW vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison
MCOW has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.
Dividends
MCOW vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison
MCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.21%, less than QDEF's 1.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCOW Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF | 0.21% | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 1.58% | 1.74% | 1.85% | 2.21% | 2.42% | 1.84% | 2.50% | 3.17% | 7.10% | 2.70% | 2.90% | 3.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MCOW and QDEF have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MCOW.
QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.21% for MCOW.
MCOW tracks S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MCOW and 0.37% for QDEF.
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