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QQQ vs. COWZ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 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, QQQ returned 16.85%/yr vs 10.13%/yr for COWZ. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

QQQ vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 6.93% return.

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.22%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%

COWZ

1D
0.82%
1M
1.75%
YTD
6.93%
6M
6.01%
1Y
19.20%
3Y*
13.01%
5Y*
10.13%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQ vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		6.93%8.98%10.64%14.73%0.19%42.57%11.65%23.41%-10.05%20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and COWZ is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.45

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016

0.58

The correlation between QQQ and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQ vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
COWZ

Technology

58.7%
16.0%

Communication Services

14.3%
10.4%

Consumer Cyclical

11.4%
11.7%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
10.9%

Healthcare

3.7%
21.8%

Industrials

2.6%
8.4%

Utilities

1.2%

-

Basic Materials

1.0%
3.7%

Energy

0.5%
16.9%

Financial Services

0.2%

-

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Technology

QQQ
58.7%
COWZ
16.0%

Communication Services

QQQ
14.3%
COWZ
10.4%

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
11.4%
COWZ
11.7%

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
6.4%
COWZ
10.9%

Healthcare

QQQ
3.7%
COWZ
21.8%

Industrials

QQQ
2.6%
COWZ
8.4%

Utilities

QQQ
1.2%
COWZ

-

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.0%
COWZ
3.7%

Energy

QQQ
0.5%
COWZ
16.9%

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
COWZ

-

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
COWZ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Invesco QQQ ETF

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF

Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI
Often compared with COWZ:
COWZ vs. VOOCOWZ vs. VFLOCOWZ vs. SCHDCOWZ vs. GCOWCOWZ vs. COWGCOWZ vs. CALFCOWZ vs. VOOV

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
COWZ
COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QQQ vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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.

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.

QQQCOWZDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
1.63

+0.46

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
2.42

+0.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.29

+0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

3.65

-0.64

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

9.73

+1.49

QQQ vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ 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.

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Drawdowns

QQQ vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and COWZ.

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQCOWZDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-38.63%

-44.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-5.00%

-6.96%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-22.00%

-0.77%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-22.00%

-13.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.33%

-2.05%

-1.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.75%

-4.80%

-27.95%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

1.88%

+1.32%

Volatility

QQQ vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 3.27%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQCOWZDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.56%

3.27%

+4.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.81%

7.20%

+6.61%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.19%

11.19%

+6.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.55%

17.64%

+4.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.38%

19.91%

+2.47%

QQQ vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than COWZ's 1.93% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		1.93%2.19%1.82%1.92%1.96%1.48%2.54%1.96%1.67%1.95%0.13%0.00%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

QQQ and COWZ have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to COWZ (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.85% vs 10.13% for COWZ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.85% return vs 10.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.49% for COWZ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.63), 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.

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