VONG vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VONG returned 15.38%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for COWZ. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VONG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

VONG vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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, VONG achieves a 7.17% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 8.18% return.

VONG

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.17%
• 6M: 6.52%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 24.92%
• 5Y*: 15.38%
• 10Y*: 18.61%

COWZ

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 9.03%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 14.44%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

VONG vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.17%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.18%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and COWZ is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between VONG and COWZ has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VONG vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VONG	COWZ
Technology	51.4%	16.0%
Communication Services	13.2%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	11.7%
Healthcare	7.1%	21.8%
Industrials	5.7%	8.4%
Financial Services	5.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	10.9%
Real Estate	0.4%	-
Energy	0.4%	16.9%
Basic Materials	0.3%	3.7%
Utilities	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

VONG vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 41
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 65
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 57
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

VONG vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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.

	VONG	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	2.02	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.98	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.36	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	4.46	-2.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.34	12.19	-6.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VONG vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VONG	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68	2.02	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.60	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.65	+0.25

Drawdowns

VONG vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-38.63%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-5.00%	-11.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-22.00%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-22.00%	-10.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-0.91%	-0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-4.81%	-0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	1.83%	+3.00%

Volatility

VONG vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a higher volatility of 3.60% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 2.56%. This indicates that VONG'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

	VONG	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	2.56%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.61%	7.12%	+4.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.37%	11.13%	+4.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.33%	17.63%	+3.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	19.93%	+0.94%

VONG vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VONG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VONG vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than COWZ's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.99%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.43%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VONG and COWZ in my portfolio?

VONG and COWZ have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VONG or COWZ?

VONG has higher volatility (3.60%) compared to COWZ (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, VONG or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, VONG leads with 15.38% vs 10.57% for COWZ. On fees, VONG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 2.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VONG or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, VONG has performed better with a 15.38% return vs 10.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VONG or COWZ?

VONG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.43% for VONG.

What is the main difference between VONG and COWZ?

VONG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. VONG tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VONG and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.68), 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.