SCHY vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHY (Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCHY is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SCHY returned 7.96%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for GCOW. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHY charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

SCHY vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHY achieves a 7.94% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return.

SCHY

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 6M: 10.00%
• 1Y: 22.39%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 7.96%
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

SCHY vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	7.94%	33.98%	-1.79%	14.27%	-9.43%	4.08%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	3.86%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHY and GCOW is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2021	0.86

The correlation between SCHY and GCOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCHY vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCHY	GCOW
Financial Services	15.8%	-
Communication Services	15.8%	14.6%
Consumer Defensive	14.8%	17.1%
Industrials	13.8%	12.4%
Energy	10.3%	24.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	4.6%
Utilities	7.4%	4.1%
Basic Materials	5.7%	7.3%
Healthcare	4.0%	14.6%
Technology	3.8%	0.9%
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

SCHY vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHY

SCHY Risk / Return Rank: 51
SCHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SCHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SCHY Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SCHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SCHY Martin Ratio Rank: 47

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

SCHY vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) 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.

	SCHY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.52	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	3.63	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.44	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	5.71	-3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	15.05	-7.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHY vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHY and GCOW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SCHY	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.52	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.92	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.59	+0.07

Drawdowns

SCHY vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHY drawdown since its inception was -24.04%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHY and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHY	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.04%	-37.64%	+13.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-4.77%	-4.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.16%	-12.35%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.04%	-21.48%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.13%	-2.73%	-2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-5.84%	+0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	1.81%	+1.03%

Volatility

SCHY vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.85%. This indicates that SCHY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHY	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	2.85%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	7.99%	+1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	10.81%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.25%	13.49%	-0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.23%	16.20%	-2.97%

SCHY vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHY has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHY vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

SCHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.44%, less than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
SCHY Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF	3.44%	3.55%	4.64%	3.97%	3.67%	1.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHY and GCOW in my portfolio?

SCHY and GCOW have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHY or GCOW?

SCHY has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to GCOW (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHY dropped -24.04% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, SCHY or GCOW?

On 5-year performance, GCOW leads with 12.34% vs 7.96% for SCHY. On fees, SCHY is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCHY or GCOW?

Over the 5-year period, GCOW has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 7.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCHY or GCOW?

SCHY is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GCOW.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 3.44% for SCHY.

What is the main difference between SCHY and GCOW?

SCHY is categorized as Dividend, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. SCHY tracks Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for SCHY and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.89), 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.