VOO vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 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, VOO returned 13.43%/yr vs 10.13%/yr for COWZ. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

VOO vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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, VOO achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 6.93% return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 24.36%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.50%

COWZ

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 6.93%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 18.17%
• 3Y*: 13.01%
• 5Y*: 10.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.08%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	6.93%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and COWZ is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between VOO and COWZ has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VOO vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	COWZ
Technology	35.7%	16.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	11.7%
Healthcare	8.5%	21.8%
Industrials	8.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	10.9%
Energy	3.5%	16.9%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.7%

Return for Risk

VOO vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 62
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 52
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VOO vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.63	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.42	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.29	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	3.65	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	9.73	+2.69

VOO vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

VOO vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-38.63%	+4.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-5.00%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-22.00%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-22.00%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-2.05%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-4.80%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.88%	+0.09%

Volatility

VOO vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 3.27%. This indicates that VOO'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

	VOO	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.27%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	7.20%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	11.19%	+1.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	17.64%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	19.91%	-1.88%

VOO vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than COWZ's 1.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.93%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and COWZ in my portfolio?

VOO and COWZ have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or COWZ?

VOO has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to COWZ (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.43% vs 10.13% for COWZ. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.43% return vs 10.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or COWZ?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VOO and COWZ?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.63), 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.