QFRD vs. COWG

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

QFRD (Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF) and COWG (Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Pacer - QFRD tracks the S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index while COWG tracks the Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.49% expense ratio.

Performance

QFRD vs. COWG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF (QFRD) and Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

QFRD

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 3.98%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

COWG

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 1.63%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 1Y: 13.89%
• 3Y*: 22.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QFRD vs. COWG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF	14.34%
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	7.87%

Correlation

The correlation between QFRD and COWG is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2026	0.86

Return for Risk

QFRD vs. COWG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QFRD

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

COWG

COWG Risk / Return Rank: 25
COWG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
COWG Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Omega Ratio Rank: 23
COWG Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
COWG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

QFRD vs. COWG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF (QFRD) and Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QFRD	COWG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.07	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.13	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.16	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	3.33	—

Drawdowns

QFRD vs. COWG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QFRD drawdown since its inception was -9.69%, smaller than the maximum COWG drawdown of -23.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QFRD and COWG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QFRD	COWG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.69%	-23.60%	+13.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-10.79%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-2.28%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.34%	-3.26%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.75%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QFRD	COWG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.63%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	14.04%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.74%	17.73%	+2.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.74%	19.36%	+0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	19.36%	+0.38%

QFRD vs. COWG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QFRD and COWG have an expense ratio of 0.49%.

Dividends

QFRD vs. COWG - Dividend Comparison

QFRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than COWG's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
COWG Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.36%	0.32%	0.40%	0.47%
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QFRD and COWG in my portfolio?

QFRD and COWG have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QFRD or COWG?

Both ETFs have the same 0.49% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QFRD or COWG?

QFRD and COWG have the same expense ratio: 0.49% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QFRD or COWG?

COWG has the higher dividend yield at 0.36%, compared with 0.11% for QFRD.

What is the main difference between QFRD and COWG?

QFRD tracks S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index, while COWG tracks Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index.