PTNQ vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PTNQ (Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PTNQ is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot 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, PTNQ returned 16.14%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for GCOW. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PTNQ charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) 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, PTNQ achieves a 13.51% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 12.25% return. Over the past 10 years, PTNQ has outperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 16.14%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.81% annualized 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%

GCOW

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 13.50%
• 1Y: 27.54%
• 3Y*: 17.57%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

PTNQ vs. GCOW - 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%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.25%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PTNQ and GCOW is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between PTNQ and GCOW has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTNQ	GCOW
Technology	53.2%	0.9%
Communication Services	16.1%	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	4.6%
Healthcare	5.3%	14.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	17.1%
Industrials	4.3%	12.4%
Utilities	1.4%	4.1%
Basic Materials	1.1%	7.3%
Energy	0.5%	24.4%
Financial Services	0.3%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

PTNQ vs. GCOW — 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

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PTNQ	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.56	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.68	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	5.80	-3.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	15.21	-5.97
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. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTNQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTNQ 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

	PTNQ	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.56	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.92	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99	0.61	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.22

Drawdowns

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTNQ drawdown since its inception was -28.07%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTNQ and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTNQ	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.07%	-37.64%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.76%	-4.77%	-6.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.19%	-12.35%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	-21.48%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.07%	-37.64%	+9.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-2.67%	+1.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.69%	-5.84%	+0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	1.81%	+1.65%

Volatility

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF (PTNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.64% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.75%. This indicates that PTNQ'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.

Volatility by Period

	PTNQ	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.64%	2.75%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.47%	7.99%	+3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	10.80%	+4.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	13.48%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.37%	16.20%	+0.17%

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTNQ has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTNQ vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

PTNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than GCOW's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	5.39%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	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 GCOW in my portfolio?

PTNQ and GCOW have a correlation of 0.17, 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 GCOW?

PTNQ has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to GCOW (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTNQ dropped -28.07% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, PTNQ or GCOW?

On 10-year performance, PTNQ leads with 16.14% vs 9.81% for GCOW. On fees, GCOW is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTNQ or GCOW?

Over the 10-year period, PTNQ has performed better with a 16.14% return vs 9.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTNQ or GCOW?

GCOW is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for PTNQ.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.39%, compared with 0.78% for PTNQ.

What is the main difference between PTNQ and GCOW?

PTNQ is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. PTNQ tracks Pacer NASDAQ-100 Trendpilot Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTNQ and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 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.