COWG vs QQQ
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, COWG or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 27.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | COWG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 102 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.97% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.99% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.04% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 17.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $19,888 | $27,112Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.8%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 21, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2022 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.7 years).
COWG vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.7 years both funds cover.
COWG vs QQQ Performance
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year COWG returned +9.99% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, COWG is up 11.97% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, COWG compounded at +22.04% per year against +25.27% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +30.94% annualized vs +20.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 15.6% for COWG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.6% for COWG and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWG charges 0.49% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $18 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWG currently yields 0.35% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
43.1% of COWG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 38.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings COWG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
35 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 102 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 101 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 61 positions COWG does not, 59.5% of the fund.
Largest: MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%, AMD 3.45%, GOOGL 3.36%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in COWG | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.09% | 8.44% | 7.35% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.89% | 7.27% | 6.38% |
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 4.03% | 0.88% | 3.15% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 3.53% | 0.79% | 2.74% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 2.63% | 1.69% | 0.94% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.81% | 3.16% | 2.35% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.20% | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 2.04% | 0.94% | 1.10% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 2.72% | 0.24% | 2.48% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 2.35% | 0.53% | 1.82% |
43.1% of COWG is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, COWG or QQQ?
COWG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWG or QQQ?
Over the past year COWG returned +9.99% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), COWG annualized +20.42% vs +30.94% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 15.6% for COWG. Worst drawdown: COWG -23.6% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both COWG and QQQ?
COWG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between COWG and QQQ?
43.1% of COWG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 38.0% of QQQ's is in holdings COWG also owns. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWG or QQQ?
COWG yields 0.35% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than COWG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 27.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.