ICOW vs VYM
Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ICOW or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ICOW led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ICOW is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 111 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.99% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.91%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.61% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.91% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,039 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
ICOW 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
ICOW vs VYM Performance
Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 ETF (ICOW) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ICOW returned +24.91% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, ICOW is up 13.99% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, ICOW compounded at +16.61% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.91% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.03% annualized vs +9.46%.
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 14.7% 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 -43.5% for ICOW 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICOW charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICOW currently yields 2.23% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in ICOW and 602 in VYM, totalling 99.8% and 99.5% 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 102 positions we hold weights for in ICOW and 602 in VYM, against full books of 111 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ICOW (97.2% of the fund), and 2 for ICOW that do not appear in VYM (2.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ICOW and VYM 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, ICOW or VYM?
ICOW has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICOW or VYM?
Over the past year ICOW returned +24.91% vs +20.84% for VYM, so ICOW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ICOW annualized +9.46% vs +10.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICOW or VYM?
ICOW has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ICOW -43.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ICOW and VYM?
ICOW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, ICOW or VYM?
ICOW yields 2.23% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ICOW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ICOW led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ICOW is less concentrated, with 20.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.