RECS vs. COWZ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RECS (Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RECS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity 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, RECS returned 13.31%/yr vs 11.04%/yr for COWZ. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RECS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

RECS vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) 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, RECS achieves a 8.13% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 12.39% return.

RECS

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 6.59%
• YTD: 8.13%
• 1Y: 20.01%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 13.31%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 3.91%

COWZ

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 5.50%
• 6M: 8.21%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: 11.04%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.03%

*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	$63.88M	$58.45M	$60.21M
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	$24.00M	$20.19M	$19.93M

RECS vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	8.13%	19.30%	26.27%	23.19%	-14.39%	32.73%	15.35%	-0.93%	0.00%	0.00%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	12.39%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between RECS and COWZ is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016	0.61

The correlation between RECS and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RECS vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RECS	COWZ
Technology	36.6%	22.9%
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	10.2%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	14.3%
Healthcare	9.1%	19.9%
Industrials	8.9%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	10.6%
Energy	3.0%	11.2%
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Utilities	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	4.0%

Return for Risk

RECS vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

RECS

RECS Risk / Return Rank: 68
RECS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
RECS Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
RECS Omega Ratio Rank: 66
RECS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
RECS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 87
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

RECS vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) 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.

	RECS	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.09	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.08	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	4.14	-1.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.45	12.12	-2.67

RECS vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RECS Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RECS 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

RECS vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RECS drawdown since its inception was -34.29%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RECS and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	RECS	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.29%	-38.63%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-5.95%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.60%	-22.00%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.08%	-22.00%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-0.83%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-4.76%	+3.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	2.03%	+0.09%

Volatility

RECS vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) is 3.25%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 4.86%. This indicates that RECS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RECS	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	4.86%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	8.75%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	11.84%	+0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.41%	17.69%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.30%	19.86%	-3.56%

RECS vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

RECS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

RECS vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

RECS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than COWZ's 1.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.84%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	1.03%	1.11%	1.09%	1.00%	1.41%	20.64%	1.09%	0.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RECS and COWZ in my portfolio?

RECS and COWZ have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RECS or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to RECS (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RECS dropped -34.29% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, RECS or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, RECS leads with 13.31% vs 11.04% for COWZ. On fees, RECS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, RECS has been the lower-risk option at 3.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RECS or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, RECS has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 11.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RECS or COWZ?

RECS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.84%, compared with 1.03% for RECS.

What is the main difference between RECS and COWZ?

RECS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. RECS tracks Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for RECS and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.65), 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.