THRO vs. QQWZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

THRO (iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF) and QQWZ (Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - THRO is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by iShares, while QQWZ is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Pacer. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, THRO returned 26.45% vs 37.59% for QQWZ. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THRO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for QQWZ.

Performance

THRO vs. QQWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) and Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF (QQWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THRO achieves a 12.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQWZ's 18.92% return.

THRO

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 6.78%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 12.56%
• 1Y: 26.45%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQWZ

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 10.66%
• YTD: 18.92%
• 6M: 16.34%
• 1Y: 37.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

THRO vs. QQWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
THRO iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF	12.78%	18.96%
QQWZ Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF	18.92%	26.23%

Correlation

The correlation between THRO and QQWZ is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2025	0.76

The correlation between THRO and QQWZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

THRO vs. QQWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

THRO

THRO Risk / Return Rank: 57
THRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
THRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
THRO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
THRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
THRO Martin Ratio Rank: 60

QQWZ

QQWZ Risk / Return Rank: 83
QQWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
QQWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
QQWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QQWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

THRO vs. QQWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) and Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF (QQWZ). 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.

	THRO	QQWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.75	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.64	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.49	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	4.84	-2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	17.81	-6.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THRO vs. QQWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THRO Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the QQWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THRO and QQWZ, 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

	THRO	QQWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	2.75	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	3.26	-2.51

Drawdowns

THRO vs. QQWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THRO drawdown since its inception was -26.54%, which is greater than QQWZ's maximum drawdown of -7.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THRO and QQWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	THRO	QQWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.54%	-7.81%	-18.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.87%	-7.81%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.24%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-1.36%	-5.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.12%	+0.33%

Volatility

THRO vs. QQWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) is 3.47%, while Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF (QQWZ) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that THRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	THRO	QQWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	4.35%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	8.85%	+1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.00%	13.77%	-0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.72%	14.22%	+4.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.72%	14.22%	+4.50%

THRO vs. QQWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

THRO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QQWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

THRO vs. QQWZ - Dividend Comparison

THRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than QQWZ's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
QQWZ Pacer Cash COWZ 100-Nasdaq 100 Rotator ETF	0.31%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
THRO iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF	0.16%	0.15%	0.73%	0.55%	0.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THRO and QQWZ in my portfolio?

THRO and QQWZ have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THRO or QQWZ?

QQWZ has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to THRO (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THRO dropped -26.54% vs QQWZ's -7.81%.

Which ETF is better, THRO or QQWZ?

On 1-year performance, QQWZ leads with 37.59% vs 26.45% for THRO. On fees, QQWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, THRO has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, THRO or QQWZ?

Over the 1-year period, QQWZ has performed better with a 37.59% return vs 26.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, THRO or QQWZ?

QQWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for THRO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, THRO or QQWZ?

QQWZ has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.16% for THRO.

What is the main difference between THRO and QQWZ?

THRO is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while QQWZ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for THRO and 0.49% for QQWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.05), 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.