PSFO vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSFO (Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSFO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Pacer, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. PSFO is actively managed, while GCOW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSFO returned 13.19%/yr vs 17.41%/yr for GCOW. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

PSFO vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) 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, PSFO achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return.

PSFO

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 7.21%
• 1Y: 17.64%
• 3Y*: 13.19%
• 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)

PSFO vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSFO Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF	6.62%	12.93%	10.78%	20.03%	-0.34%	4.75%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	5.87%

Correlation

The correlation between PSFO and GCOW is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2021	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between PSFO and GCOW has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PSFO vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSFO	GCOW
Technology	36.2%	0.9%
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	10.9%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	4.6%
Healthcare	8.4%	14.6%
Industrials	8.1%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	17.1%
Energy	3.5%	24.4%
Utilities	2.3%	4.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	7.3%

Return for Risk

PSFO vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSFO

PSFO Risk / Return Rank: 77
PSFO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PSFO Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PSFO Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PSFO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
PSFO 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.

PSFO vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) 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.

	PSFO	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.52	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.63	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.44	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	5.71	-2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.51	15.05	+1.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSFO vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSFO Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSFO 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

	PSFO	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.52	-0.09
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	1.16	0.59	+0.58

Drawdowns

PSFO vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSFO drawdown since its inception was -12.09%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSFO and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSFO	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.09%	-37.64%	+25.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.20%	-4.77%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.09%	-12.35%	+0.26%
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	-0.19%	-2.73%	+2.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-5.84%	+4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.07%	1.81%	-0.74%

Volatility

PSFO vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) ETF (PSFO) is 1.05%, while Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that PSFO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSFO	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	2.85%	-1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.49%	7.99%	-2.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.29%	10.81%	-3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.05%	13.49%	-3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.05%	16.20%	-6.15%

PSFO vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PSFO and GCOW have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

PSFO vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

PSFO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GCOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%.

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%
PSFO Pacer Swan SOS Flex (October) 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 PSFO and GCOW in my portfolio?

PSFO and GCOW have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSFO or GCOW?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to PSFO (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSFO dropped -12.09% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, PSFO or GCOW?

On 3-year performance, GCOW leads with 17.41% vs 13.19% for PSFO. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, PSFO has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSFO or GCOW?

Over the 3-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 17.41% return vs 13.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSFO or GCOW?

PSFO and GCOW have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 0.00% for PSFO.

What is the main difference between PSFO and GCOW?

PSFO is categorized as Options Trading, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.43), 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.