QDIV vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QDIV (Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDIV is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality High Dividend 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, QDIV returned 6.30%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for COWZ. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDIV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

QDIV vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) 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, QDIV achieves a 8.88% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 8.30% return.

QDIV

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 8.88%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 14.92%
• 3Y*: 10.31%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 10Y*: —

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)

QDIV vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	8.88%	3.16%	10.62%	5.18%	-0.50%	28.99%	0.03%	29.00%	-12.20%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.30%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-15.22%

Correlation

The correlation between QDIV and COWZ is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2018	0.87

The correlation between QDIV and COWZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDIV vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDIV	COWZ
Consumer Defensive	21.9%	10.9%
Industrials	16.5%	8.4%
Healthcare	14.3%	21.8%
Energy	14.1%	16.9%
Basic Materials	8.4%	3.7%
Technology	8.1%	16.0%
Financial Services	6.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	11.7%
Communication Services	3.7%	10.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QDIV vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDIV

QDIV Risk / Return Rank: 36
QDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
QDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 34
QDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
QDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

QDIV vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) 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.

	QDIV	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.06	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	3.05	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.37	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	4.57	-2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.85	12.47	-7.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDIV vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDIV 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

	QDIV	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.06	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.60	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.65	-0.21

Drawdowns

QDIV vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDIV drawdown since its inception was -41.20%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDIV and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDIV	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.20%	-38.63%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.97%	-5.00%	-2.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.81%	-22.00%	+5.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.52%	-22.00%	+3.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.37%	-0.80%	-2.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.54%	-4.80%	-0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	1.83%	+1.26%

Volatility

QDIV vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) have volatilities of 2.52% and 2.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDIV	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.52%	2.50%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	7.12%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	11.08%	+0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.30%	17.63%	-2.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.42%	19.92%	-0.50%

QDIV vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDIV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDIV vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

QDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than COWZ's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	2.98%	3.13%	2.88%	3.26%	3.02%	2.44%	3.06%	2.84%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDIV and COWZ in my portfolio?

QDIV and COWZ have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDIV or COWZ?

QDIV has higher volatility (2.52%) compared to COWZ (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDIV dropped -41.20% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, QDIV or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.60% vs 6.30% for QDIV. On fees, QDIV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDIV or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.60% return vs 6.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDIV or COWZ?

QDIV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

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

QDIV has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 2.16% for COWZ.

What is the main difference between QDIV and COWZ?

QDIV is categorized as Dividend, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. QDIV tracks S&P 500 Quality High Dividend Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QDIV and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.27), 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.