ICOW vs VXUS
Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ICOW or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ICOW led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | ICOW | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 111 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.99% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.91% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.61% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.91%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,039Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
ICOW 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
ICOW vs VXUS Performance
Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICOW returned +24.91% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, ICOW is up 13.99% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, ICOW compounded at +16.61% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.91% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, ICOW has the edge at +9.46% annualized vs +7.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICOW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 15.4% 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 -43.5% for ICOW 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICOW charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICOW currently yields 2.23% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 69.7% of ICOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% 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.
70 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in ICOW and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 111 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ICOW | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELShell plc | 2.05% | 0.48% | 1.57% |
| DHL:SGDeutsche Post Ag | 2.19% | 0.12% | 2.07% |
| 9433:JPKddi Corp. Com Stk | 2.18% | 0.11% | 2.07% |
| 4502:JP4502 Jp Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | 2.15% | 0.11% | 2.04% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 1.99% | 0.21% | 1.78% |
| 0001:HKCK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. Shs | 2.15% | 0.05% | 2.10% |
| SU:CASuncor Energy Inc | 2.05% | 0.14% | 1.91% |
| VOD:LNVodafone Group Plc | 2.11% | 0.05% | 2.06% |
| SGO:PACompagnie De Saint Gobain Sa | 1.94% | 0.09% | 1.85% |
| AEM:CAAgnico Eagle Mines Ltd | 1.82% | 0.18% | 1.64% |
69.7% of ICOW 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, ICOW or VXUS?
ICOW has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICOW or VXUS?
Over the past year ICOW returned +24.91% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ICOW annualized +9.46% vs +7.71% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICOW or VXUS?
ICOW has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ICOW -43.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ICOW and VXUS?
ICOW and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ICOW and VXUS?
At least 69.7% of ICOW's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 70 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in ICOW and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICOW or VXUS?
ICOW yields 2.23% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ICOW?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ICOW led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.