MCOW vs. SPMD

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

MCOW (Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF) and SPMD (SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - MCOW tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index while SPMD tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCOW charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPMD.

Performance

MCOW vs. SPMD - 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 SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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 SPMD's 12.33% return.

MCOW

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

SPMD

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -0.89%
• YTD: 12.33%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 23.91%
• 3Y*: 15.12%
• 5Y*: 7.85%
• 10Y*: 11.15%

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

MCOW vs. SPMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MCOW Pacer S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats ETF	5.86%	-3.62%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	12.33%	1.57%

Correlation

The correlation between MCOW and SPMD is 0.88, 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	0.88

Return for Risk

MCOW vs. SPMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPMD

SPMD Risk / Return Rank: 50
SPMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SPMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SPMD Omega Ratio Rank: 44
SPMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPMD Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. SPMD - 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 SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF (SPMD). 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	SPMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.45	-0.30

Drawdowns

MCOW vs. SPMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCOW drawdown since its inception was -15.02%, smaller than the maximum SPMD drawdown of -57.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCOW and SPMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCOW	SPMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.02%	-57.62%	+42.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.86%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.08%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.08%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.02%	-1.94%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.58%	-8.12%	+3.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.41%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MCOW	SPMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.53%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	15.66%	+2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	19.71%	-1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	21.18%	-3.29%

MCOW vs. SPMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCOW has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SPMD's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCOW vs. SPMD - Dividend Comparison

MCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than SPMD'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%
SPMD SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF	1.25%	1.39%	1.42%	1.47%	1.64%	1.24%	1.30%	1.57%	1.85%	1.97%	2.13%	5.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCOW and SPMD in my portfolio?

MCOW and SPMD have a correlation of 0.88, 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 SPMD?

On fees, SPMD is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MCOW or SPMD?

SPMD is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MCOW.

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

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

What is the main difference between MCOW and SPMD?

MCOW tracks S&P MidCap 400 Quality FCF Aristocrats Index, while SPMD tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MCOW and 0.05% for SPMD.