TRFK vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend 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 GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TRFK returned 52.66%/yr vs 17.57%/yr for GCOW. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

TRFK vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) 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, TRFK achieves a 64.96% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 12.25% return.

TRFK

• 1D: -2.93%
• 1M: 24.68%
• YTD: 64.96%
• 6M: 57.34%
• 1Y: 97.75%
• 3Y*: 52.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 6M: 13.50%
• 1Y: 27.54%
• 3Y*: 17.57%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

TRFK vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	64.96%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.25%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	-2.71%

Correlation

The correlation between TRFK and GCOW is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2022	0.35

Over the past year, the correlation between TRFK and GCOW has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.35, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

TRFK vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TRFK	GCOW
Technology	91.8%	0.9%
Industrials	8.3%	12.4%
Basic Materials	-	7.3%
Communication Services	-	14.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	17.1%
Energy	-	24.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	14.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	4.1%

Return for Risk

TRFK vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 85
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 86
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

TRFK vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	TRFK	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.53	2.56	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.15	3.68	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.45	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.03	5.80	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	15.21	-3.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRFK vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRFK Sharpe Ratio is 3.53, which is higher than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRFK 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

	TRFK	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.53	2.56	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.54	0.59	+0.95

Drawdowns

TRFK vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRFK drawdown since its inception was -29.06%, smaller than the maximum GCOW drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRFK and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRFK	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.06%	-37.64%	+8.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.56%	-4.77%	-14.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.06%	-12.35%	-16.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.99%	-2.67%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.04%	-5.84%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.13%	1.81%	+6.32%

Volatility

TRFK vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a higher volatility of 10.70% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.75%. This indicates that TRFK'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

	TRFK	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.70%	2.75%	+7.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.98%	7.99%	+13.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.82%	10.80%	+17.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.94%	13.48%	+15.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.94%	16.20%	+12.74%

TRFK vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TRFK and GCOW have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

TRFK vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than GCOW's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	5.39%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
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 GCOW in my portfolio?

TRFK and GCOW 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 GCOW?

TRFK has higher volatility (10.70%) compared to GCOW (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRFK dropped -29.06% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, TRFK or GCOW?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 52.66% vs 17.57% for GCOW. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TRFK or GCOW?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 52.66% return vs 17.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TRFK or GCOW?

TRFK and GCOW have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

GCOW has the higher dividend yield at 5.39%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

What is the main difference between TRFK and GCOW?

TRFK is categorized as Technology Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs 2.56), 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.