QDPL vs. ICOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QDPL (Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDPL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Pacer, while ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. QDPL is actively managed, while ICOW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QDPL returned 20.64%/yr vs 20.17%/yr for ICOW. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QDPL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

QDPL vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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, QDPL achieves a 10.40% return, which is significantly lower than ICOW's 17.35% return.

QDPL

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 10.40%
• 6M: 10.54%
• 1Y: 26.37%
• 3Y*: 20.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

QDPL vs. ICOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	10.40%	16.52%	22.83%	23.66%	-16.25%	8.32%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	17.35%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-7.98%	-2.84%

Correlation

The correlation between QDPL and ICOW is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2021	0.63

The correlation between QDPL and ICOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDPL vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDPL	ICOW
Technology	27.6%	6.2%
Financial Services	10.3%	-
Communication Services	8.5%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	11.6%
Healthcare	7.6%	7.1%
Industrials	6.3%	28.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	8.5%
Energy	2.4%	23.7%
Utilities	2.1%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	5.4%

Return for Risk

QDPL vs. ICOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDPL

QDPL Risk / Return Rank: 67
QDPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Omega Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QDPL Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

QDPL vs. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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.

	QDPL	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.87	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.72	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.50	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	4.91	-1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.37	17.54	-3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDPL vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDPL 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

	QDPL	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	2.87	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.55	+0.28

Drawdowns

QDPL vs. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDPL drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDPL and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDPL	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-43.49%	+20.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.65%	-8.02%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-14.81%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.64%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-7.59%	+2.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	2.24%	-0.40%

Volatility

QDPL vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) is 2.69%, while Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) has a volatility of 4.41%. This indicates that QDPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDPL	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	4.41%	-1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	10.59%	-1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	13.73%	-1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.01%	16.64%	-1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.01%	18.47%	-3.46%

QDPL vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDPL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDPL vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

QDPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.05%, more than ICOW's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	5.05%	4.84%	5.43%	6.30%	7.27%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDPL and ICOW in my portfolio?

QDPL and ICOW have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDPL or ICOW?

ICOW has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to QDPL (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDPL dropped -22.59% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, QDPL or ICOW?

On 3-year performance, QDPL leads with 20.64% vs 20.17% for ICOW. On fees, QDPL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QDPL has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDPL or ICOW?

Over the 3-year period, QDPL has performed better with a 20.64% return vs 20.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDPL or ICOW?

QDPL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

QDPL has the higher dividend yield at 5.05%, compared with 2.12% for ICOW.

What is the main difference between QDPL and ICOW?

QDPL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ICOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QDPL and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.23), 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.