SHRY vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SHRY (First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHRY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Shareholder Yield Index - Benchmark TR Gross, 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, SHRY returned 7.57%/yr vs 9.90%/yr for COWZ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SHRY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

SHRY vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF (SHRY) 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, SHRY achieves a 1.17% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 3.27% return.

SHRY

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -4.23%
• YTD: 1.17%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 3.92%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: —

COWZ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 3.27%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 15.76%
• 3Y*: 12.38%
• 5Y*: 9.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

SHRY vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SHRY First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF	1.17%	7.29%	17.27%	17.47%	-14.21%	30.50%	11.86%	30.69%	-9.35%	10.45%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	3.27%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	14.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SHRY and COWZ is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2017	0.81

The correlation between SHRY and COWZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

SHRY vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SHRY	COWZ
Financial Services	22.7%	-
Technology	20.5%	16.0%
Communication Services	12.4%	10.4%
Energy	10.2%	16.9%
Consumer Defensive	10.0%	10.9%
Industrials	8.1%	8.4%
Healthcare	8.1%	21.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	11.7%
Basic Materials	0.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SHRY vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHRY

SHRY Risk / Return Rank: 14
SHRY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
SHRY Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SHRY Omega Ratio Rank: 12
SHRY Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
SHRY Martin Ratio Rank: 15

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 45
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

SHRY vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF (SHRY) 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.

	SHRY	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	1.39	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.58	2.05	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.25	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	2.66	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	7.92	-6.51

SHRY vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHRY Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHRY 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

SHRY vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHRY drawdown since its inception was -36.67%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHRY and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHRY	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.67%	-38.63%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.20%	-5.95%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.34%	-22.00%	+6.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.94%	-22.00%	-1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.56%	-5.40%	-1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-4.80%	-0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.00%	+0.78%

Volatility

SHRY vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF (SHRY) is 3.29%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 3.97%. This indicates that SHRY 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

	SHRY	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	3.97%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.75%	7.53%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.92%	11.38%	-0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.68%	17.64%	-1.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	19.90%	-1.74%

SHRY vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHRY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHRY vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

SHRY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, less than COWZ's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.00%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
SHRY First Trust Bloomberg Shareholder Yield ETF	1.75%	1.73%	1.76%	1.49%	1.52%	0.98%	1.65%	1.54%	1.89%	0.55%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHRY and COWZ in my portfolio?

SHRY and COWZ have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHRY or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to SHRY (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHRY dropped -36.67% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, SHRY or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 9.90% vs 7.57% for SHRY. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, SHRY has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHRY or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 9.90% return vs 7.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHRY or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SHRY.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.00%, compared with 1.75% for SHRY.

What is the main difference between SHRY and COWZ?

SHRY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. SHRY tracks Bloomberg Shareholder Yield Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SHRY and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.36), 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.