COWG vs VTI
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, COWG or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. COWG led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 27.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.42% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.88% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.41%Best | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $20,440 | $20,980Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 21, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2022 to Sep 25, 2026 (3.8 years).
COWG vs VTI 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
COWG vs VTI Performance
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year COWG returned +11.88% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, COWG is up 13.42% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, COWG compounded at +24.41% per year against +23.04% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +21.53% annualized vs +20.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COWG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 12.9% for VTI. 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 -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWG charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWG currently yields 0.35% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.2% of COWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.8% of VTI's money is in holdings COWG also owns.
Most of COWG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
97 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 101 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,056 positions COWG does not, 72.7% of the fund.
Largest: MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%, GOOG 2.31%, META 1.70%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in COWG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.09% | 6.40% | 5.31% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.89% | 6.29% | 5.40% |
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 4.03% | 0.25% | 3.78% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 3.98% | 0.01% | 3.97% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 3.53% | 0.26% | 3.27% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.81% | 2.56% | 1.75% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 2.63% | 0.51% | 2.12% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 2.72% | 0.07% | 2.65% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.20% | 0.38% | 1.82% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 2.35% | 0.14% | 2.21% |
96.2% of COWG is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
COWG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWG or VTI?
Over the past year COWG returned +11.88% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), COWG annualized +20.70% vs +21.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWG or VTI?
COWG has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 12.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: COWG -23.6% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both COWG and VTI?
COWG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 VTI?
96.2% of COWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.8% of VTI's is in holdings COWG also owns. They hold 97 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWG or VTI?
COWG yields 0.35% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than COWG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. COWG led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 27.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.