PABD vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PABD (iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - PABD tracks the MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net while ICOW tracks the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PABD returned 19.29% vs 38.86% for ICOW. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PABD charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

PABD vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PABD achieves a 7.44% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

PABD

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 3.05%
• YTD: 7.44%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 19.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ICOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.03%
• 1Y: 38.86%
• 3Y*: 20.34%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

PABD vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	7.44%	30.06%	5.32%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-0.16%

Correlation

The correlation between PABD and ICOW is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2024	0.78

The correlation between PABD and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

PABD vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PABD	ICOW
Financial Services	29.5%	-
Industrials	16.3%	28.7%
Technology	13.5%	6.2%
Healthcare	11.3%	7.1%
Real Estate	6.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	11.6%
Basic Materials	5.1%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	8.5%
Utilities	3.6%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	8.9%
Energy	0.2%	23.7%

Return for Risk

PABD vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PABD

PABD Risk / Return Rank: 35
PABD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
PABD Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PABD Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PABD Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
PABD Martin Ratio Rank: 38

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 85
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

PABD vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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.

	PABD	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.85	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	3.70	-1.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.50	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	4.87	-3.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.79	17.40	-11.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PABD vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PABD Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PABD and ICOW, 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

	PABD	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.85	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	0.55	+0.60

Drawdowns

PABD vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PABD drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PABD and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PABD	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-43.49%	+30.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.55%	-8.02%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.81%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.63%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.64%	-7.58%	+4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	2.24%	+1.10%

Volatility

PABD vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 3.99%. This indicates that PABD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PABD	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	3.99%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.97%	10.58%	+2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	13.72%	+1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.53%	16.64%	-1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.53%	18.46%	-2.93%

PABD vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PABD has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PABD vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

PABD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than ICOW's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.71%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	2.55%	2.74%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PABD and ICOW in my portfolio?

PABD and ICOW have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PABD or ICOW?

PABD has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to ICOW (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PABD dropped -13.37% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, PABD or ICOW?

On 1-year performance, ICOW leads with 38.86% vs 19.29% for PABD. On fees, PABD is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PABD or ICOW?

Over the 1-year period, ICOW has performed better with a 38.86% return vs 19.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PABD or ICOW?

PABD is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PABD or ICOW?

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 2.55% for PABD.

What is the main difference between PABD and ICOW?

PABD tracks MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for PABD and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.85 vs 1.25), 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.