WLDR vs. GCOW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

WLDR (Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF) and GCOW (Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WLDR is a Global Equities fund tracking the Thomson Reuters StarMine Affinity World Leaders Index, while GCOW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WLDR returned 18.91%/yr vs 11.72%/yr for GCOW. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WLDR charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GCOW.

Performance

WLDR vs. GCOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) 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, WLDR achieves a 30.43% return, which is significantly higher than GCOW's 7.34% return.

WLDR

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: 6.66%
• YTD: 30.43%
• 6M: 29.99%
• 1Y: 55.53%
• 3Y*: 31.99%
• 5Y*: 18.91%
• 10Y*: —

GCOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -6.00%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 21.14%
• 3Y*: 15.59%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: 9.95%

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

WLDR vs. GCOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
WLDR Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF	30.43%	31.24%	22.74%	18.93%	-10.44%	26.77%	-1.93%	21.54%	-18.38%
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	7.34%	27.34%	3.52%	13.95%	5.49%	14.58%	-4.33%	17.81%	-11.44%

Correlation

The correlation between WLDR and GCOW is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2018	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between WLDR and GCOW has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

WLDR vs. GCOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WLDR	GCOW
Technology	37.0%	1.3%
Financial Services	12.2%	-
Communication Services	10.1%	14.5%
Industrials	8.1%	12.6%
Healthcare	8.0%	14.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	17.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.8%	22.9%
Basic Materials	3.1%	8.1%
Utilities	2.4%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

WLDR vs. GCOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLDR

WLDR Risk / Return Rank: 93
WLDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
WLDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
WLDR Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WLDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
WLDR Martin Ratio Rank: 94

GCOW

GCOW Risk / Return Rank: 60
GCOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
GCOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GCOW Omega Ratio Rank: 56
GCOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
GCOW Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

WLDR vs. GCOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) 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.

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.

	WLDR	GCOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.46	1.91	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.52	2.74	+1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.33	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.30	3.06	+3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.45	10.42	+14.03

WLDR vs. GCOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLDR Sharpe Ratio is 3.46, which is higher than the GCOW Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLDR 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.

Drawdowns

WLDR vs. GCOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLDR drawdown since its inception was -44.69%, which is greater than GCOW's maximum drawdown of -37.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLDR and GCOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLDR	GCOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.69%	-37.64%	-7.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-6.93%	-1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.30%	-12.35%	-7.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.77%	-21.48%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.85%	-6.93%	+5.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-5.83%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	2.03%	+0.25%

Volatility

WLDR vs. GCOW - Volatility Comparison

Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF (WLDR) has a higher volatility of 7.60% compared to Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) at 2.89%. This indicates that WLDR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GCOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WLDR	GCOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	2.89%	+4.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	8.29%	+5.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	11.09%	+5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	13.50%	+3.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.00%	16.03%	+4.97%

WLDR vs. GCOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

WLDR has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than GCOW's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

WLDR vs. GCOW - Dividend Comparison

WLDR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.13%, more than GCOW's 4.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GCOW Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF	4.90%	4.06%	5.14%	5.28%	4.39%	4.23%	4.12%	4.40%	3.94%	2.79%	1.95%
WLDR Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF	7.13%	9.01%	13.99%	2.28%	2.10%	7.55%	1.80%	2.48%	2.82%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WLDR and GCOW in my portfolio?

WLDR and GCOW have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WLDR or GCOW?

WLDR has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to GCOW (2.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WLDR dropped -44.69% vs GCOW's -37.64%.

Which ETF is better, WLDR or GCOW?

On 5-year performance, WLDR leads with 18.91% vs 11.72% for GCOW. On fees, GCOW is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, GCOW has been the lower-risk option at 2.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WLDR or GCOW?

Over the 5-year period, WLDR has performed better with a 18.91% return vs 11.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WLDR or GCOW?

GCOW is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for WLDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WLDR or GCOW?

WLDR has the higher dividend yield at 7.13%, compared with 4.90% for GCOW.

What is the main difference between WLDR and GCOW?

WLDR is categorized as Global Equities, while GCOW is Large Cap Value Equities. WLDR tracks Thomson Reuters StarMine Affinity World Leaders Index, while GCOW tracks Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividends Index. They also come from different issuers: Regents Park Funds and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for WLDR and 0.60% for GCOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 1.91), 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.