PXF vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PXF (Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - PXF tracks the FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Index while ICOW tracks the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PXF returned 13.47%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for ICOW. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXF charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

PXF vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF (PXF) 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, PXF achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly higher than ICOW's 17.35% return.

PXF

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 6.92%
• YTD: 20.42%
• 6M: 24.34%
• 1Y: 44.15%
• 3Y*: 25.13%
• 5Y*: 13.47%
• 10Y*: 11.80%

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)

PXF vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXF Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF	20.42%	42.51%	4.54%	18.46%	-9.09%	15.93%	2.58%	17.50%	-14.84%	10.19%
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 PXF and ICOW is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2017	0.90

The correlation between PXF and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

PXF vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PXF	ICOW
Financial Services	19.7%	-
Industrials	15.1%	28.7%
Technology	11.4%	6.2%
Energy	10.6%	23.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	11.6%
Basic Materials	10.1%	5.4%
Healthcare	7.2%	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.1%	8.5%
Communication Services	4.3%	8.9%
Utilities	3.6%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

PXF vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXF

PXF Risk / Return Rank: 83
PXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
PXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
PXF Omega Ratio Rank: 85
PXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
PXF Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PXF vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF (PXF) 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.

	PXF	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.92	2.87	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.72	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.50	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	4.91	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	17.54	-1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXF vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXF Sharpe Ratio is 2.92, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXF 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

	PXF	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92	2.87	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.61	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.55	-0.31

Drawdowns

PXF vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXF drawdown since its inception was -64.74%, which is greater than ICOW's maximum drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXF and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXF	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.74%	-43.49%	-21.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.91%	-8.02%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.06%	-14.81%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.82%	-28.48%	+1.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.59%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.64%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.27%	-7.59%	-7.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	2.24%	+0.60%

Volatility

PXF vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF (PXF) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 4.41%. This indicates that PXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXF	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	4.41%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.86%	10.59%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.24%	13.73%	+1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	16.64%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	18.47%	-0.43%

PXF vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXF has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXF vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

PXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, more 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%
PXF Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. ETF	3.07%	3.64%	3.48%	3.55%	3.58%	3.74%	2.11%	3.50%	3.38%	2.78%	3.21%	3.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXF and ICOW in my portfolio?

PXF and ICOW have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PXF or ICOW?

PXF has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to ICOW (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXF dropped -64.74% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, PXF or ICOW?

On 5-year performance, PXF leads with 13.47% vs 10.06% for ICOW. On fees, PXF is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PXF or ICOW?

Over the 5-year period, PXF has performed better with a 13.47% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PXF or ICOW?

PXF is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

PXF has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 2.12% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between PXF and ICOW?

PXF tracks FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-U.S. Index, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for PXF and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 2.87), 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.