VUS vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. VUS is actively managed, while COWZ is passively managed. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

VUS vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) 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, VUS achieves a 17.75% return, which is significantly higher than COWZ's 3.27% return.

VUS

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 17.75%
• 6M: 16.89%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

COWZ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -3.72%
• YTD: 3.27%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 15.76%
• 3Y*: 12.38%
• 5Y*: 9.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUS vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	17.75%	0.88%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	3.27%	1.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and COWZ is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	0.41

VUS vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUS	COWZ
Technology	37.1%	16.0%
Real Estate	11.2%	-
Industrials	10.9%	8.4%
Financial Services	8.4%	-
Healthcare	7.9%	21.8%
Energy	6.4%	16.9%
Communication Services	5.9%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	11.7%
Basic Materials	3.0%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	10.9%
Utilities	1.3%	-

Return for Risk

VUS vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 45
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

VUS vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) 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.

	VUS	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.39	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.05	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.25	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.66	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.92	—

Drawdowns

VUS vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUS drawdown since its inception was -9.45%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUS and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUS	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-38.63%	+29.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.95%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.39%	-5.40%	+3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-4.80%	+3.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUS	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.97%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.53%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.16%	11.38%	+3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.16%	17.64%	-2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.16%	19.90%	-4.74%

VUS vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUS vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than COWZ's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	2.00%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUS and COWZ in my portfolio?

VUS and COWZ 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 ETF is better, VUS or COWZ?

On fees, VUS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUS or COWZ?

VUS is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 2.00%, compared with 1.31% for VUS.

What is the main difference between VUS and COWZ?

VUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VUS and 0.49% for COWZ.