PTMC vs. GCOW
PTMC (Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTMC is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PTMC returned 7.02%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for GCOW. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.
Performance
PTMC vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PTMC achieves a 16.10% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 7.36% return. Over the past 10 years, PTMC has underperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 7.02%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.
PTMC
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- 2.46%
- YTD
- 16.10%
- 6M
- 13.77%
- 1Y
- 20.99%
- 3Y*
- 10.89%
- 5Y*
- 4.15%
- 10Y*
- 7.02%
GCOW
- 1D
- 0.53%
- 1M
- -5.35%
- YTD
- 7.36%
- 6M
- 7.11%
- 1Y
- 22.04%
- 3Y*
- 15.31%
- 5Y*
- 11.72%
- 10Y*
- 10.10%
PTMC vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTMC Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF | 16.10% | -1.55% | 13.22% | 7.29% | -13.99% | 12.42% | 6.58% | 1.04% | 0.02% | 17.79% |
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF | 7.36% | 27.34% | 3.52% | 13.95% | 5.49% | 14.58% | -4.33% | 17.81% | -7.99% | 20.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between PTMC and GCOW is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2016 | 0.52 |
The correlation between PTMC and GCOW shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PTMC vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank
PTMC
GCOW
PTMC vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF (PTMC) 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.
| PTMC | GCOW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.35 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.37 | 2.99 | -0.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.64 | 10.37 | -1.73 |
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Drawdowns
PTMC vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PTMC drawdown since its inception was -20.53%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTMC and GCOW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PTMC | GCOW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.53% | -37.64% | +17.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.89% | -7.40% | -1.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.31% | -12.35% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.93% | -21.48% | +4.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.53% | -37.64% | +17.11% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -6.91% | +6.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.44% | -5.83% | -0.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.44% | 2.13% | +0.31% |
Volatility
PTMC vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison
Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF (PTMC) has a higher volatility of 4.36% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.99%. This indicates that PTMC'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.
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Volatility by Period
| PTMC | GCOW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.36% | 2.99% | +1.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.78% | 8.32% | +3.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.72% | 11.11% | +4.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.25% | 13.51% | -0.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.97% | 16.03% | -3.06% |
PTMC vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both PTMC and GCOW have an expense ratio of 0.60%.
Dividends
PTMC vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison
PTMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than GCOW's 4.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF | 4.90% | 4.06% | 5.14% | 5.28% | 4.39% | 4.23% | 4.12% | 4.40% | 3.94% | 2.79% | 1.95% |
PTMC Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF | 1.59% | 1.84% | 0.87% | 1.92% | 0.82% | 0.12% | 0.53% | 1.40% | 0.89% | 0.67% | 0.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PTMC and GCOW have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PTMC has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to GCOW (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTMC dropped -20.53% vs GCOW's -37.64%.
On 10-year performance, GCOW leads with 10.10% vs 7.02% for PTMC. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 10.10% return vs 7.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PTMC and GCOW have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.
GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.90%, compared with 1.59% for PTMC.
PTMC is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. PTMC tracks Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index.
GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.34), 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.
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