PRVS vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRVS (Parnassus Value Select ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. PRVS is actively managed, while GCOW is passively managed. Over the past year, PRVS returned 34.20% vs 27.12% for GCOW. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PRVS charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

PRVS vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Value Select ETF (PRVS) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PRVS having a 11.82% return and GCOW slightly higher at 12.18%.

PRVS

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 11.82%
• 6M: 13.80%
• 1Y: 34.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

PRVS vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PRVS Parnassus Value Select ETF	11.82%	18.07%	-4.37%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	-2.14%

Correlation

The correlation between PRVS and GCOW is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024	0.47

Return for Risk

PRVS vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRVS

PRVS Risk / Return Rank: 79
PRVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PRVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
PRVS Omega Ratio Rank: 78
PRVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PRVS Martin Ratio Rank: 83

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

PRVS vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Value Select ETF (PRVS) 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.

	PRVS	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.52	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	3.63	+0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.44	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	5.71	-2.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.32	15.05	+2.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRVS vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRVS Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRVS 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

	PRVS	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.52	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.04	0.59	+0.45

Drawdowns

PRVS vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRVS drawdown since its inception was -17.64%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRVS and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRVS	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.64%	-37.64%	+20.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-4.77%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.73%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.68%	-5.84%	+3.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.81%	+0.16%

Volatility

PRVS vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Parnassus Value Select ETF (PRVS) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.85%. This indicates that PRVS'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

	PRVS	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	2.85%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.11%	7.99%	+2.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.91%	10.81%	+2.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.83%	13.49%	+3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	16.20%	+0.63%

PRVS vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRVS has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRVS vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

PRVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
PRVS Parnassus Value Select ETF	0.54%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRVS and GCOW in my portfolio?

PRVS and GCOW have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRVS or GCOW?

PRVS has higher volatility (3.16%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRVS dropped -17.64% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, PRVS or GCOW?

On 1-year performance, PRVS leads with 34.20% vs 27.12% for GCOW. On fees, PRVS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PRVS or GCOW?

Over the 1-year period, PRVS has performed better with a 34.20% return vs 27.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PRVS or GCOW?

PRVS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PRVS or GCOW?

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 0.54% for PRVS.

What is the main difference between PRVS and GCOW?

They also come from different issuers: Parnassus and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PRVS and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.52), 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.