COWZ vs VXUS
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, COWZ or VXUS?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. COWZ led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | COWZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $20.0B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.72% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 102 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +14.99%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +21.10% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.65% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.07%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,904Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 16, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 19, 2016 to Sep 9, 2026 (9.7 years).
COWZ vs VXUS 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 9.7 years both funds cover.
COWZ vs VXUS Performance
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year COWZ returned +21.10% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, COWZ is up 14.99% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, COWZ compounded at +12.65% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.07% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, COWZ has the edge at +13.11% annualized vs +8.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COWZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.1% for VXUS. 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 -38.6% for COWZ and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWZ charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWZ currently yields 1.72% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in COWZ and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 99.9% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in COWZ and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 102 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of COWZ and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, COWZ or VXUS?
COWZ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWZ or VXUS?
Over the past year COWZ returned +21.10% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), COWZ annualized +13.11% vs +8.68% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWZ or VXUS?
COWZ has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: COWZ -38.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both COWZ and VXUS?
COWZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWZ or VXUS?
COWZ yields 1.72% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than COWZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. COWZ led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.