TRFK vs. COWZ

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TRFK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TRFK returned 45.78%/yr vs 12.47%/yr for COWZ. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. TRFK charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

TRFK vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) 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, TRFK achieves a 50.94% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 13.85% return.

TRFK

• 1D: 6.17%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 50.19%
• YTD: 50.94%
• 1Y: 56.27%
• 3Y*: 45.78%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 39.14%

COWZ

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 6.87%
• 6M: 10.01%
• YTD: 13.85%
• 1Y: 24.97%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.18%

*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	$75.00M	$63.31M	$62.02M
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	$17.63M	$18.35M	$19.68M

TRFK vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	50.94%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	13.85%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	-6.55%

Correlation

The correlation between TRFK and COWZ is 0.10, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2022	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between TRFK and COWZ has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

TRFK vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TRFK	COWZ
Technology	87.4%	22.9%
Industrials	12.0%	8.4%
Basic Materials	0.9%	4.0%
Communication Services	0.6%	8.8%
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	14.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	10.6%
Energy	-	11.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	19.9%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TRFK vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 52
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 51
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 47

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 85
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 82
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

TRFK vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) 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.

	TRFK	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.12	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	3.13	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.38	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	4.21	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	12.33	-6.54

TRFK vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRFK Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRFK 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

TRFK vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRFK drawdown since its inception was -29.06%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRFK and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRFK	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.06%	-38.63%	+9.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.17%	-5.95%	-20.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.06%	-22.00%	-7.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.03%	0.00%	-13.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-4.76%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.74%	2.03%	+7.71%

Volatility

TRFK vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a higher volatility of 17.38% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 4.95%. This indicates that TRFK'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

	TRFK	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.38%	4.95%	+12.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.56%	8.83%	+23.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.23%	11.88%	+25.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.03%	17.68%	+13.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.03%	19.86%	+11.17%

TRFK vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

TRFK vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than COWZ's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.82%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.40%	0.20%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRFK and COWZ in my portfolio?

TRFK and COWZ have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRFK or COWZ?

TRFK has higher volatility (17.38%) compared to COWZ (4.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRFK dropped -29.06% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, TRFK or COWZ?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 45.78% vs 12.47% for COWZ. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TRFK or COWZ?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 45.78% return vs 12.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TRFK or COWZ?

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

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

What is the main difference between TRFK and COWZ?

TRFK is categorized as Technology Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for TRFK and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.52), 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.