USA vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USA (Liberty All-Star Equity Fund) is a stock, while GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) is Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Over the past 10 years, USA returned 12.11%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for GCOW. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

USA vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) 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, USA achieves a -2.12% return, which is significantly lower than GCOW's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, USA has outperformed GCOW with an annualized return of 12.11%, while GCOW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.

USA

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: -2.12%
• 6M: 0.11%
• 1Y: -2.70%
• 3Y*: 9.02%
• 5Y*: 1.77%
• 10Y*: 12.11%

GCOW

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 6M: 13.23%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: 12.34%
• 10Y*: 9.91%

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

USA vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USA Liberty All-Star Equity Fund	-2.12%	0.09%	20.81%	23.17%	-25.20%	33.76%	12.89%	39.70%	-5.06%	34.66%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	12.18%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-7.99%	20.71%

Correlation

The correlation between USA and GCOW is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2016	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between USA and GCOW has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

USA vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

USA

USA Risk / Return Rank: 30
USA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
USA Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
USA Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
USA Martin Ratio Rank: 33

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 79
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 72
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

USA vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) 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.

	USA	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	2.52	-2.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.19	3.63	-3.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.44	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	5.71	-5.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.43	15.05	-15.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USA vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USA Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USA 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

	USA	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	2.52	-2.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.92	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.61	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.59	-0.25

Drawdowns

USA vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USA drawdown since its inception was -69.15%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USA and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	USA	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.15%	-37.64%	-31.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.28%	-4.77%	-10.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.69%	-12.35%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-21.48%	-12.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.07%	-37.64%	-9.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.37%	-2.73%	-4.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.52%	-5.84%	-5.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.31%	1.81%	+4.50%

Volatility

USA vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) is 2.50%, while Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that USA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USA	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	2.85%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	7.99%	+2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	10.81%	+2.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	13.49%	+6.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.55%	16.20%	+6.35%

Dividends

USA vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

USA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.68%, more than GCOW's 4.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.43%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%	0.00%
USA Liberty All-Star Equity Fund	11.68%	10.67%	10.22%	9.56%	12.11%	9.67%	9.13%	9.75%	12.64%	8.89%	9.30%	9.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USA and GCOW in my portfolio?

USA and GCOW have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USA or GCOW?

GCOW has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to USA (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USA dropped -69.15% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GCOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.20), 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.