GCOW vs VXUS
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GCOW or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GCOW 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 | GCOW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.58% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 111 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +12.96% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.89% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.59% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.66%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,149Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 22, 2016 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 23, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.5 years).
GCOW 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 10.5 years both funds cover.
GCOW vs VXUS Performance
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCOW returned +18.89% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, GCOW is up 12.96% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, GCOW compounded at +15.59% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.66% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, GCOW has the edge at +10.25% annualized vs +9.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GCOW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.8% 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 -37.6% for GCOW 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCOW charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCOW currently yields 4.58% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 52.5% of GCOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
61 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 111 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GCOW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 2.01% | 0.65% | 1.36% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 1.99% | 0.59% | 1.40% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.20% | 0.28% | 1.92% |
| FP:PATotal Se | 1.85% | 0.33% | 1.52% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 1.94% | 0.21% | 1.73% |
| GSK:LNGSK plc | 1.92% | 0.23% | 1.69% |
| CNQ:CACanadian Natural Resources Ltd | 1.95% | 0.18% | 1.77% |
| MBG:SGMercedes-Benz Group AG Mercedes Benz Group Agnamens Aktien O N | 1.94% | 0.08% | 1.86% |
| 2914:JPJapan Tobacco Inc | 1.83% | 0.09% | 1.74% |
| 9434:JPSoftbank | 1.66% | 0.08% | 1.58% |
52.5% of GCOW is already inside VXUS.
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 VXUS?
GCOW has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCOW or VXUS?
Over the past year GCOW returned +18.89% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GCOW annualized +10.25% vs +9.15% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCOW or VXUS?
GCOW has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.8% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GCOW -37.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GCOW and VXUS?
GCOW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 VXUS?
At least 52.5% of GCOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 61 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCOW or VXUS?
GCOW yields 4.58% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so GCOW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GCOW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GCOW 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.