VUSE vs. COWZ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VUSE (Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - VUSE tracks the Vident U.S. Quality Index while COWZ tracks the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VUSE returned 12.21%/yr vs 11.26%/yr for COWZ. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUSE charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

VUSE vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VUSE having a 8.53% return and COWZ slightly higher at 8.89%.

VUSE

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.92%
• 6M: 7.44%
• YTD: 8.53%
• 1Y: 14.61%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 12.21%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

COWZ

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: 2.44%
• 6M: 5.23%
• YTD: 8.89%
• 1Y: 19.72%
• 3Y*: 12.35%
• 5Y*: 11.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUSE vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	8.53%	13.18%	15.77%	24.36%	-9.42%	35.46%	6.76%	20.74%	-15.25%	16.62%
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	8.89%	8.98%	10.64%	14.73%	0.19%	42.57%	11.65%	23.41%	-10.05%	20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSE and COWZ is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between VUSE and COWZ has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VUSE vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUSE	COWZ
Technology	36.7%	19.9%
Financial Services	13.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	14.3%
Healthcare	9.4%	19.9%
Communication Services	9.0%	8.7%
Industrials	8.0%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	10.5%
Basic Materials	2.6%	4.0%
Energy	2.2%	11.6%
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

VUSE vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSE

VUSE Risk / Return Rank: 38
VUSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VUSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VUSE Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VUSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUSE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

COWZ

COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 69
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VUSE vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) 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.

	VUSE	COWZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.72	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	2.54	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.30	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	3.33	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	9.34	-3.61

VUSE vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSE 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

VUSE vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSE drawdown since its inception was -43.92%, which is greater than COWZ's maximum drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSE and COWZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSE	COWZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.92%	-38.63%	-5.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-5.95%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-22.00%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.34%	-22.00%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.70%	-0.26%	-1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.59%	-4.78%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.12%	+0.44%

Volatility

VUSE vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) is 3.54%, while Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a volatility of 4.58%. This indicates that VUSE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSE	COWZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.58%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.50%	8.09%	+2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	11.48%	+1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	17.66%	-0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.18%	19.87%	+0.31%

VUSE vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSE vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

VUSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than COWZ's 1.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COWZ Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF	1.90%	2.19%	1.82%	1.92%	1.96%	1.48%	2.54%	1.96%	1.67%	1.95%	0.13%	0.00%
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.46%	0.47%	0.84%	1.15%	1.57%	1.16%	1.33%	1.61%	1.55%	1.16%	1.25%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSE and COWZ in my portfolio?

VUSE and COWZ have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUSE or COWZ?

COWZ has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to VUSE (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSE dropped -43.92% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

Which ETF is better, VUSE or COWZ?

On 5-year performance, VUSE leads with 12.21% vs 11.26% for COWZ. On fees, COWZ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, VUSE has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VUSE or COWZ?

Over the 5-year period, VUSE has performed better with a 12.21% return vs 11.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSE or COWZ?

COWZ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for VUSE.

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

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.90%, compared with 0.46% for VUSE.

What is the main difference between VUSE and COWZ?

VUSE tracks Vident U.S. Quality Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vident and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VUSE and 0.49% for COWZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.12), 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.