MCOW vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

MCOW (Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MCOW is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCOW charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

MCOW vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF (MCOW) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCOW achieves a 5.86% return, which is significantly lower than SCHM's 16.11% return.

MCOW

• 1D: -3.02%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 6M: 4.00%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHM

• 1D: -2.63%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 16.11%
• 6M: 15.70%
• 1Y: 29.71%
• 3Y*: 16.81%
• 5Y*: 7.54%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

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

MCOW vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MCOW Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF	5.86%	-3.62%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	16.11%	2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between MCOW and SCHM is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2025	0.87

Return for Risk

MCOW vs. SCHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 61
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

MCOW vs. SCHM - 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 Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MCOW	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.58	-0.43

Drawdowns

MCOW vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCOW drawdown since its inception was -15.02%, smaller than the maximum SCHM drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCOW and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCOW	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.02%	-42.43%	+27.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.32%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.27%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.02%	-2.63%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.58%	-5.65%	+1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.31%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MCOW	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.04%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	15.82%	+2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	19.59%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	20.47%	-2.58%

MCOW vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCOW has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCOW vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

MCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than SCHM's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCOW Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF	0.22%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.25%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCOW and SCHM in my portfolio?

MCOW and SCHM have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MCOW or SCHM?

On fees, SCHM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MCOW or SCHM?

SCHM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MCOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MCOW or SCHM?

SCHM has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.22% for MCOW.

What is the main difference between MCOW and SCHM?

MCOW is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SCHM is Mid Cap Growth Equities. MCOW tracks S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index, while SCHM tracks Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MCOW and 0.04% for SCHM.