PSFM vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSFM (Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSFM is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Pacer, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. PSFM is actively managed, while COWZ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSFM returned 10.00%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for COWZ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSFM charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

PSFM vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF (PSFM) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSFM achieves a 9.21% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 8.18% return.

PSFM

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.92%
• YTD: 9.21%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 17.37%
• 3Y*: 13.46%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: —

COWZ

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSFM vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSFM Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF	9.21%	7.28%	14.18%	18.32%	-5.23%	11.65%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.18%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	16.59%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFM and COWZ is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2021	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between PSFM and COWZ has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PSFM vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSFM	COWZ
Technology	33.2%	16.0%
Financial Services	12.5%	-
Communication Services	10.3%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	11.7%
Healthcare	9.6%	21.8%
Industrials	8.4%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	10.9%
Energy	4.2%	16.9%
Utilities	2.6%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	3.7%

Return for Risk

PSFM vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFM

PSFM Risk / Return Rank: 98
PSFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PSFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PSFM Omega Ratio Rank: 98
PSFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PSFM Martin Ratio Rank: 98

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

PSFM vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF (PSFM) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). 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.

	PSFM	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.37	2.02	+2.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.81	2.98	+4.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.03	1.36	+0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.28	4.46	+8.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	70.48	12.19	+58.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSFM vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFM Sharpe Ratio is 4.37, which is higher than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFM and COWZ, 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

	PSFM	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37	2.02	+2.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95	0.60	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.65	+0.35

Drawdowns

PSFM vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFM drawdown since its inception was -14.33%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFM and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFM	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.33%	-38.63%	+24.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.31%	-5.00%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.12%	-22.00%	+7.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.33%	-22.00%	+7.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.91%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-4.81%	+2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	1.83%	-1.58%

Volatility

PSFM vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF (PSFM) is 0.86%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 2.56%. This indicates that PSFM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFM	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	2.56%	-1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	7.12%	-4.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.01%	11.13%	-7.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.57%	17.63%	-7.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.51%	19.93%	-9.42%

PSFM vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSFM has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSFM vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

PSFM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.99%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
PSFM Pacer Swan SOS Flex (April) ETF	0.00%	0.00%	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 PSFM and COWZ in my portfolio?

PSFM and COWZ have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFM or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to PSFM (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFM dropped -14.33% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, PSFM or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.57% vs 10.00% for PSFM. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, PSFM has been the lower-risk option at 0.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFM or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.57% return vs 10.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFM or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for PSFM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSFM or COWZ?

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.00% for PSFM.

What is the main difference between PSFM and COWZ?

PSFM is categorized as Defined Outcome, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PSFM and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSFM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.37 vs 2.02), 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.