QQQG vs. COWZ

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

QQQG (Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQG is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Pacer, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. QQQG is actively managed, while COWZ is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQG returned 34.56% vs 24.97% for COWZ. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.49% expense ratio.

Performance

QQQG vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) 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, QQQG achieves a 28.97% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 13.85% return.

QQQG

• 1D: 3.68%
• 1M: 0.46%
• 6M: 32.20%
• YTD: 28.97%
• 1Y: 34.56%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.24%

COWZ

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 6.87%
• 6M: 10.01%
• YTD: 13.85%
• 1Y: 24.97%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.18%

*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)
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	$75.00M	$63.31M	$62.02M
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	$354.95K	$397.77K	$489.74K

QQQG vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	28.97%	14.72%	1.68%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.85%	8.98%	0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQG and COWZ is 0.24, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2024	0.40

The correlation between QQQG and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.40 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQG vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQG	COWZ
Technology	76.3%	22.9%
Healthcare	9.7%	19.9%
Communication Services	4.4%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	14.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	10.6%
Energy	2.0%	11.2%
Industrials	2.0%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QQQG vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QQQG

QQQG Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
QQQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
QQQG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
QQQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QQQG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 85
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 82
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

QQQG vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) 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.

	QQQG	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.12	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	3.13	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.38	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	4.21	-1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.47	12.33	-4.86

QQQG vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQG Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQG 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.

Drawdowns

QQQG vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQG drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQG and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQG	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-38.63%	+15.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.79%	-5.95%	-7.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.78%	0.00%	-5.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.76%	-4.76%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.64%	2.03%	+2.61%

Volatility

QQQG vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) has a higher volatility of 9.43% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 4.95%. This indicates that QQQG'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.

Volatility by Period

	QQQG	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.43%	4.95%	+4.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.40%	8.83%	+12.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	11.88%	+12.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.10%	17.68%	+7.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.10%	19.86%	+5.24%

QQQG vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QQQG and COWZ have an expense ratio of 0.49%.

Dividends

QQQG vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

QQQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, less than COWZ's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.82%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.05%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQG and COWZ in my portfolio?

QQQG and COWZ have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQG or COWZ?

QQQG has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to COWZ (4.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQG dropped -23.61% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, QQQG or COWZ?

On 1-year performance, QQQG leads with 34.56% vs 24.97% for COWZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.49% expense ratio. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQG or COWZ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQG has performed better with a 34.56% return vs 24.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQG or COWZ?

QQQG and COWZ have the same expense ratio: 0.49% per year.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.05% for QQQG.

What is the main difference between QQQG and COWZ?

QQQG is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.41), 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.