QFRD vs. GCOW

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

QFRD (Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QFRD is a Quality Factor fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.11 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QFRD charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

QFRD vs. GCOW - 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 Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

QFRD

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 17.23%
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

GCOW

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.47%
• 6M: 7.25%
• YTD: 14.77%
• 1Y: 27.77%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 9.89%
• ALL TIME*: 10.57%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	$12.71M	$12.72M	$12.45M
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF	$22.97K	$34.82K	$12.88K

QFRD vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF	13.35%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.46%

Correlation

The correlation between QFRD and GCOW is 0.11, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2026	0.11

Return for Risk

QFRD vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks 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.

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 90
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 93
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QFRD vs. GCOW - 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 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.

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	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.60	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.73	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.46	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.61	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.15	—

Drawdowns

QFRD vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QFRD drawdown since its inception was -9.69%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QFRD and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QFRD	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.69%	-37.64%	+27.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.83%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.65%	-0.73%	-2.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-5.82%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.53%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QFRD	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.59%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.54%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.17%	10.99%	+8.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.17%	13.55%	+5.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.17%	16.00%	+3.17%

QFRD vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QFRD has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

QFRD vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

QFRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than GCOW's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.58%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
QFRD Pacer S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders ETF	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QFRD and GCOW in my portfolio?

QFRD and GCOW have a correlation of 0.11, 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 GCOW?

On fees, QFRD is cheaper at 0.49% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QFRD or GCOW?

QFRD is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 0.11% for QFRD.

What is the main difference between QFRD and GCOW?

QFRD is categorized as Quality Factor, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. QFRD tracks S&P 500 Quality FCF R&D Leaders Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for QFRD and 0.60% for GCOW.