TRFK vs. ICOW

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) and ICOW (Pacer Developed Markets International 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 ICOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TRFK returned 45.78%/yr vs 16.73%/yr for ICOW. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. TRFK charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for ICOW.

Performance

TRFK vs. ICOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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 ICOW's 14.59% 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%

ICOW

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 4.34%
• 6M: 6.55%
• YTD: 14.59%
• 1Y: 31.79%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 10.28%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.63%

*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)
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	$9.40M	$8.02M	$8.97M
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	$17.63M	$18.35M	$19.68M

TRFK vs. ICOW - 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%
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	14.59%	36.95%	-2.59%	18.94%	-8.16%

Correlation

The correlation between TRFK and ICOW is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2022	0.48

TRFK vs. ICOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TRFK	ICOW
Technology	87.4%	7.7%
Industrials	12.0%	25.2%
Basic Materials	0.9%	9.9%
Communication Services	0.6%	12.7%
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	14.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	10.1%
Energy	-	11.9%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TRFK vs. ICOW — 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

ICOW

ICOW Risk / Return Rank: 81
ICOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ICOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ICOW Omega Ratio Rank: 83
ICOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ICOW Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. ICOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) and Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW). 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	ICOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.20	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.88	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.39	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	3.58	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	9.91	-4.12

TRFK vs. ICOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRFK Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is lower than the ICOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRFK and ICOW, 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. ICOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRFK drawdown since its inception was -29.06%, smaller than the maximum ICOW drawdown of -43.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRFK and ICOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRFK	ICOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.06%	-43.49%	+14.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.17%	-8.92%	-17.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.06%	-14.81%	-14.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.03%	-2.97%	-10.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-7.55%	+1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.74%	3.22%	+6.52%

Volatility

TRFK vs. ICOW - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a higher volatility of 17.38% compared to Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) at 3.24%. This indicates that TRFK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRFK	ICOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.38%	3.24%	+14.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.56%	11.96%	+20.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.23%	14.52%	+22.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.03%	16.74%	+14.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.03%	18.44%	+12.59%

TRFK vs. ICOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRFK has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ICOW's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRFK vs. ICOW - Dividend Comparison

TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than ICOW's 2.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICOW Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.23%	3.03%	4.39%	3.61%	5.26%	2.11%	2.46%	3.10%	2.61%	0.80%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRFK and ICOW in my portfolio?

TRFK and ICOW have a correlation of 0.41, 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 ICOW?

TRFK has higher volatility (17.38%) compared to ICOW (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRFK dropped -29.06% vs ICOW's -43.49%.

Which ETF is better, TRFK or ICOW?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 45.78% vs 16.73% for ICOW. On fees, TRFK is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, ICOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TRFK or ICOW?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 45.78% return vs 16.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TRFK or ICOW?

TRFK is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ICOW.

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

ICOW has the higher dividend yield at 2.23%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

What is the main difference between TRFK and ICOW?

TRFK is categorized as Technology Equities, while ICOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while ICOW tracks Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for TRFK and 0.65% for ICOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 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.