GCOW vs VYM
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GCOW or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GCOW led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. GCOW is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 111 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.45% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.09%Best | +17.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.88% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.83%Best | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,286Best | $17,797 |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 22, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 23, 2016 to Sep 14, 2026 (10.6 years).
GCOW vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCOW returned +18.09% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, GCOW is up 12.45% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, GCOW compounded at +14.88% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.83% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.65% annualized vs +10.18%.
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 14.0% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCOW currently yields 4.50% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.3% of GCOW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.8% of VYM's money is in holdings GCOW also owns.
GCOW and VYM share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 557 in VYM, against full books of 111 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 516 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GCOW (89.3% of the fund), and 4 for GCOW that do not appear in VYM (5.3%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.08% | 1.48% | 0.60% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.99% | 1.21% | 0.78% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 2.08% | 0.80% | 1.28% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 2.15% | 0.64% | 1.51% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.21% | 0.54% | 1.67% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.07% | 0.58% | 1.49% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.87% | 0.77% | 1.10% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.10% | 0.44% | 1.66% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.11% | 0.34% | 1.77% |
| CMECme Group, Cl A | 1.86% | 0.39% | 1.47% |
22.3% of GCOW is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
GCOW has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCOW or VYM?
Over the past year GCOW returned +18.09% vs +17.46% for VYM, so GCOW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GCOW annualized +10.18% vs +10.65% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCOW or VYM?
GCOW has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GCOW -37.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GCOW and VYM?
GCOW and VYM 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 VYM?
22.3% of GCOW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.8% of VYM's is in holdings GCOW also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GCOW and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCOW or VYM?
GCOW yields 4.50% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GCOW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GCOW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GCOW led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. GCOW is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.