COWG vs NUGO
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF vs Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF
Which is better, COWG or NUGO?
Each has led over a different period.
COWG has a lower expense ratio. COWG led over 1Y, NUGO over 3Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 32.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%.
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 | COWG | NUGO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $2.4B | $2.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 204 | 46 |
| YTD Return | +13.88%Best | +9.42% |
| 1Y Return | +13.28%Best | +11.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.86% | +23.57%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 16.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -25.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $20,325 | $24,889Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.7%Best | 61.9% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 21, 2022 | Sep 27, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.8 years).
COWG vs NUGO 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
COWG vs NUGO Performance
Pacer US Large Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (COWG) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is an ETF from Nuveen. Over the past year COWG returned +13.28% while NUGO returned +11.31%. Year to date, COWG is up 13.88% versus a gain of 9.42% for NUGO.
Over three years, COWG compounded at +22.86% per year against +23.57% for NUGO. Across the full 4-year window we track, NUGO has the edge at +27.12% annualized vs +20.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.4% for COWG. 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 -23.6% for COWG and -25.1% for NUGO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWG charges 0.49% per year while NUGO charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $50 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWG currently yields 0.75% against 0.00% for NUGO.
Holdings Overlap
26.0% of COWG's money is in holdings NUGO also owns. 45.7% of NUGO's money is in holdings COWG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 43 in NUGO, against full books of 204 and 46.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 100 and 43 positions we hold weights for.
COWG holds 84 positions NUGO does not, 70.3% of the fund.
Largest: DDOG 3.46%, U 3.17%, FTNT 3.15%, IRDM 2.39%, PAYC 2.20%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in COWG | Weight in NUGO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.94% | 15.71% | 14.77% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.88% | 7.05% | 6.17% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.74% | 5.98% | 5.24% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.26% | 3.02% | 0.24% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 3.60% | 2.05% | 1.55% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 3.78% | 1.40% | 2.38% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 3.77% | 0.82% | 2.95% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 1.46% | 2.29% | 0.83% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 3.11% | 0.63% | 2.48% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp. | 1.65% | 1.66% | 0.01% |
45.7% of NUGO is already inside COWG.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, COWG or NUGO?
COWG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while NUGO charges 0.50%. COWG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWG or NUGO?
Over the past year COWG returned +13.28% vs +11.31% for NUGO, so COWG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), COWG annualized +20.52% vs +27.12% for NUGO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWG or NUGO?
NUGO has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.4% for COWG. Worst drawdown: COWG -23.6% vs NUGO -25.1%.
Should I hold both COWG and NUGO?
COWG and NUGO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 COWG and NUGO?
45.7% of NUGO's money is in holdings COWG also owns. 45.7% of NUGO's is in holdings COWG also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in COWG and 43 in NUGO.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWG or NUGO?
COWG yields 0.75% while NUGO yields 0.00%, so COWG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUGO better than COWG?
COWG has a lower expense ratio. COWG led over 1Y, NUGO over 3Y and the full window. COWG is less concentrated, with 32.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.