PTLC vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTLC (Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index, while ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PTLC returned 10.72%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTLC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

PTLC vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) 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, PTLC achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

PTLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

ICOW

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 17.35%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 39.15%
• 3Y*: 20.17%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

PTLC vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	5.53%	5.10%	24.31%	16.78%	-8.62%	27.90%	-1.15%	17.58%	1.49%	10.21%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	11.52%	7.20%	17.91%	-16.09%	16.98%

Correlation

The correlation between PTLC and ICOW is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.54

The correlation between PTLC and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

PTLC vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTLC	ICOW
Technology	35.6%	6.2%
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	11.6%
Healthcare	8.5%	7.1%
Industrials	8.3%	28.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	8.5%
Energy	3.5%	23.7%
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	5.4%

Return for Risk

PTLC vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTLC

PTLC Risk / Return Rank: 53
PTLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
PTLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PTLC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PTLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PTLC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 84
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

PTLC vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) 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.

	PTLC	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	2.87	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.72	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.50	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	4.91	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.71	17.54	-7.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTLC vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is lower than the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTLC 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

	PTLC	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	2.87	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.61	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.55	+0.15

Drawdowns

PTLC vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTLC drawdown since its inception was -26.63%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTLC and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTLC	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.63%	-43.49%	+16.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.77%	-8.02%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.17%	-14.81%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.17%	-28.48%	+13.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.64%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-7.59%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.24%	-0.03%

Volatility

PTLC vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) is 2.88%, while Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) has a volatility of 4.41%. This indicates that PTLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTLC	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	4.41%	-1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	10.59%	-2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.27%	13.73%	-2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	16.64%	-4.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.17%	18.47%	-5.30%

PTLC vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTLC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTLC vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

PTLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.12%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	1.01%	1.06%	0.67%	1.18%	1.26%	0.73%	1.08%	1.10%	1.00%	0.97%	1.08%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTLC and ICOW in my portfolio?

PTLC and ICOW have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTLC or ICOW?

ICOW has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to PTLC (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTLC dropped -26.63% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, PTLC or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, PTLC leads with 10.72% vs 10.06% for ICOW. On fees, PTLC is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PTLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTLC or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, PTLC has performed better with a 10.72% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTLC or ICOW?

PTLC is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.12%, compared with 1.01% for PTLC.

What is the main difference between PTLC and ICOW?

PTLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ICOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. PTLC tracks Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PTLC and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 1.91), 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.