MDISX vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MDISX (Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both funds - MDISX is a Global Equities fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Over the past 10 years, MDISX returned 8.60%/yr vs 9.98%/yr for GCOW. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDISX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

MDISX vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund (MDISX) 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, MDISX achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.82% return. Over the past 10 years, MDISX has underperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 8.60%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively higher 9.98% annualized return.

MDISX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 4.78%
• 1Y: 13.89%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 9.22%
• 10Y*: 8.60%

GCOW

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 12.82%
• 6M: 14.84%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 17.63%
• 5Y*: 12.63%
• 10Y*: 9.98%

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

MDISX vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDISX Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund	1.65%	23.75%	6.38%	20.48%	-4.73%	19.60%	-4.38%	24.74%	-10.86%	7.22%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.82%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between MDISX and GCOW is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.82

The correlation between MDISX and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.82 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MDISX vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDISX

MDISX Risk / Return Rank: 16
MDISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MDISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
MDISX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
MDISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MDISX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 80
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 73
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

MDISX vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund (MDISX) 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.

	MDISX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.55	-1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	3.66	-1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.44	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	5.98	-4.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.45	15.85	-11.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDISX vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDISX 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

	MDISX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.55	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.94	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.62	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.22

Drawdowns

MDISX vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDISX drawdown since its inception was -40.15%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDISX and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDISX	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.15%	-37.64%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.09%	-4.77%	-5.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.93%	-12.35%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.57%	-21.48%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.15%	-37.64%	-2.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.09%	-2.18%	-1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.27%	-5.84%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	1.80%	+1.44%

Volatility

MDISX vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund (MDISX) has a higher volatility of 3.23% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.94%. This indicates that MDISX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDISX	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	2.94%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	7.97%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.87%	10.82%	+1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.67%	13.48%	+2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.11%	16.20%	+0.91%

MDISX vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDISX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDISX vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

MDISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.38%, more than GCOW's 4.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.41%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	0.00%
MDISX Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Fund	10.38%	10.55%	12.84%	7.12%	10.29%	8.75%	3.50%	7.21%	7.50%	2.97%	4.13%	7.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDISX and GCOW in my portfolio?

MDISX and GCOW have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDISX or GCOW?

MDISX has higher volatility (3.23%) compared to GCOW (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDISX dropped -40.15% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.21), 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.