SSAQX vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSAQX (State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both funds - SSAQX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by State Street, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Over the past 5 years, SSAQX returned 9.49%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for COWZ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SSAQX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SSAQX having a 8.01% return and COWZ slightly higher at 8.18%.

SSAQX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.01%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 25.69%
• 3Y*: 14.89%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: —

COWZ

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	8.01%	17.43%	5.04%	28.87%	-18.27%	12.02%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.18%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	10.93%

Correlation

The correlation between SSAQX and COWZ is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.69

The correlation between SSAQX and COWZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SSAQX vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSAQX

SSAQX Risk / Return Rank: 51
SSAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SSAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SSAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SSAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SSAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) 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.

	SSAQX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.02	+0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.98	+0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	4.46	-2.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.62	12.19	-1.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSAQX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSAQX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SSAQX	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.02	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.60	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.65	-0.14

Drawdowns

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSAQX drawdown since its inception was -31.70%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSAQX and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSAQX	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.70%	-38.63%	+6.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.74%	-5.00%	-5.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.70%	-22.00%	-9.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.70%	-22.00%	-9.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.91%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.08%	-4.81%	-3.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	1.83%	+0.66%

Volatility

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund (SSAQX) has a higher volatility of 3.04% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.56%. This indicates that SSAQX'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

	SSAQX	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	2.56%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	7.12%	+2.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	11.13%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.86%	17.63%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.86%	19.93%	-1.07%

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSAQX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSAQX vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

SSAQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.13%, more than COWZ's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.99%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
SSAQX State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund	11.13%	12.02%	0.00%	3.83%	9.83%	13.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSAQX and COWZ in my portfolio?

SSAQX and COWZ have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSAQX or COWZ?

SSAQX has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to COWZ (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSAQX dropped -31.70% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSAQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.02), 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.