PTNQ vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PTNQ (Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTNQ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PTNQ returned 11.75%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for COWZ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTNQ charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) 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, PTNQ achieves a 13.51% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 8.30% return.

PTNQ

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 13.51%
• 6M: 12.12%
• 1Y: 31.85%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 16.14%

COWZ

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 6M: 8.95%
• 1Y: 22.75%
• 3Y*: 14.62%
• 5Y*: 10.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	13.51%	7.18%	15.47%	34.65%	-16.00%	13.16%	29.38%	24.00%	8.51%	32.70%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.30%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between PTNQ and COWZ is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.53

The correlation between PTNQ and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTNQ	COWZ
Technology	53.2%	16.0%
Communication Services	16.1%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	11.7%
Healthcare	5.3%	21.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	10.9%
Industrials	4.3%	8.4%
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	3.7%
Energy	0.5%	16.9%
Financial Services	0.3%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

PTNQ vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTNQ

PTNQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
PTNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
PTNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PTNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PTNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 69
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 61
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) 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.

	PTNQ	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.06	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.05	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.37	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	4.57	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	12.47	-3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTNQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTNQ 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

	PTNQ	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.06	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.60	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.65	+0.16

Drawdowns

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTNQ drawdown since its inception was -28.07%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTNQ and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTNQ	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-38.63%	+10.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-5.00%	-6.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.19%	-22.00%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	-22.00%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.80%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.69%	-4.80%	-0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	1.83%	+1.63%

Volatility

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.64% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.50%. This indicates that PTNQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTNQ	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	2.50%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.47%	7.12%	+4.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	11.08%	+4.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	17.63%	-4.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.37%	19.92%	-3.55%

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTNQ has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTNQ vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

PTNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than COWZ's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.16%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
PTNQ Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF	0.78%	0.88%	1.96%	1.47%	0.62%	0.00%	0.16%	0.44%	0.45%	0.32%	0.30%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTNQ and COWZ in my portfolio?

PTNQ and COWZ have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTNQ or COWZ?

PTNQ has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to COWZ (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTNQ dropped -28.07% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, PTNQ or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, PTNQ leads with 11.75% vs 10.60% for COWZ. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 2.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTNQ or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, PTNQ has performed better with a 11.75% return vs 10.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTNQ or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for PTNQ.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.16%, compared with 0.78% for PTNQ.

What is the main difference between PTNQ and COWZ?

PTNQ is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. PTNQ tracks Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTNQ and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 2.06), 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.