PDX vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PDX (PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both funds - PDX is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by PIMCO, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. PDX is actively managed, while GCOW is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PDX returned 21.07%/yr vs 12.37%/yr for GCOW. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PDX charges 2.31%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

PDX vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (PDX) 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, PDX achieves a 15.44% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 12.75% return.

PDX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -1.86%
• YTD: 15.44%
• 6M: 18.05%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 24.85%
• 5Y*: 21.07%
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -0.62%
• YTD: 12.75%
• 6M: 13.53%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 12.37%
• 10Y*: 10.32%

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

PDX vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PDX PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund	15.44%	-10.59%	36.99%	44.51%	23.02%	68.79%	-44.20%	-9.89%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.75%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	11.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PDX and GCOW is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2019	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between PDX and GCOW has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PDX vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDX

PDX Risk / Return Rank: 7
PDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PDX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PDX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

PDX vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (PDX) 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.

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.

	PDX	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	2.26	-1.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	3.27	-2.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.39	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.34	5.13	-4.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.78	13.09	-12.31

PDX vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDX 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.

Drawdowns

PDX vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDX drawdown since its inception was -80.63%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDX and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDX	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.63%	-37.64%	-42.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-4.77%	-10.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.24%	-12.35%	-24.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.24%	-21.48%	-15.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.15%	-2.24%	-13.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-5.83%	-12.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.86%	1.88%	+4.98%

Volatility

PDX vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (PDX) has a higher volatility of 2.61% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.45%. This indicates that PDX'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

	PDX	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	2.45%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.23%	7.96%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.25%	10.85%	+3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.57%	13.49%	+12.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.41%	16.17%	+20.24%

PDX vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDX has a 2.31% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDX vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

PDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.92%, more than GCOW's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.67%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
PDX PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund	21.92%	24.34%	6.31%	4.30%	5.89%	5.28%	14.11%	9.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDX and GCOW in my portfolio?

PDX and GCOW have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDX or GCOW?

PDX has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to GCOW (2.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDX dropped -80.63% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.38), 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.