GCOW vs VTI
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GCOW or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GCOW led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. GCOW is less concentrated, with 21.1% 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 | GCOW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 111 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.99% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.95% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.75% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.28%Best | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,845Best | $17,734 |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 22, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 23, 2016 to Sep 25, 2026 (10.6 years).
GCOW 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
GCOW vs VTI Performance
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCOW returned +15.95% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, GCOW is up 8.99% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, GCOW compounded at +14.75% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.28% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.53% annualized vs +9.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 15.2% for GCOW. 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 -37.6% for GCOW and -35.0% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCOW charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCOW currently yields 4.50% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
24.3% of GCOW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.8% of VTI's money is in holdings GCOW also owns.
GCOW and VTI share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 111 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,137 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GCOW (94.7% of the fund), and 3 for GCOW that do not appear in VTI (3.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GCOW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.08% | 0.52% | 1.56% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.99% | 0.41% | 1.58% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.21% | 0.18% | 2.03% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 2.15% | 0.22% | 1.93% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 2.08% | 0.24% | 1.84% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.07% | 0.20% | 1.87% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.10% | 0.15% | 1.95% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.11% | 0.12% | 1.99% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 2.01% | 0.14% | 1.87% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.87% | 0.26% | 1.61% |
24.3% of GCOW 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, GCOW or VTI?
GCOW has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCOW or VTI?
Over the past year GCOW returned +15.95% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GCOW annualized +9.82% vs +14.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCOW or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 15.2% for GCOW. Worst drawdown: GCOW -37.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GCOW and VTI?
GCOW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 GCOW and VTI?
24.3% of GCOW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.8% of VTI's is in holdings GCOW also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCOW or VTI?
GCOW yields 4.50% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GCOW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GCOW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GCOW led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. GCOW is less concentrated, with 21.1% 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.