COWZ vs SCHD: Head-to-Head Comparison
COWZ vs SCHD: Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.49% while Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF charges 0.06%. COWZ holds 100 securities vs SCHD's 103. 5-year returns: 14.50% vs 12.10%.
Last updated: April 2026
Dividend
Quick Verdict
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | COWZ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.06% |
| AUM | $25.0B | $62.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 3.40% |
| Holdings | 100 | 103 |
| 1-Year Return | 21.00% | 12.90% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 14.50% | 12.10% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 12.50% | 11.50% |
| Beta | 0.95 | 0.82 |
| P/E Ratio | 12.5 | 16.8 |
COWZ 5-year annualized return is 14.50% compared to SCHD's 12.10%. Over 10 years, COWZ returned 12.50% vs SCHD's 11.50%.
View data table
| Period | COWZ Return | SCHD Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 2.50% | 1.80% |
| 1 Year | 21.00% | 12.90% |
| 3 Year | 11.50% | 7.20% |
| 5 Year | 14.50% | 12.10% |
| 10 Year | 12.50% | 11.50% |
Key Differences Between COWZ and SCHD
COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) is a free cash flow fund managed by Pacer. COWZ selects the 100 Russell 1000 companies with the highest free cash flow yields, targeting businesses that generate abundant cash relative to their market value. It rebalances quarterly and uses an equal-weight methodology among its holdings. Beginners who value companies that produce real cash rather than just accounting earnings will find COWZ offers a unique, fundamentally driven investment approach.
SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is a u.s. large-cap dividend fund managed by Charles Schwab. SCHD focuses on high-quality U.S. companies with strong track records of paying and growing dividends. It uses a rules-based approach to select about 100 stocks that have consistently paid dividends for at least 10 years. Beginners who want both income and growth often find SCHD attractive because it combines a solid dividend yield with quality stock selection at a very low cost.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.49% vs 0.06%), number of holdings (100 vs 103), and 5-year returns (14.50% vs 12.10%).
COWZ vs SCHD multi-factor comparison: COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, 14.50% 5-year return, 100 holdings, 0.95 beta, and 2.00% yield. SCHD has 0.06% expense ratio, 12.10% 5-year return, 103 holdings, 0.82 beta, and 3.40% yield.
View data table
| Metric | COWZ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.06% |
| 5-Year Return | 14.50% | 12.10% |
| Holdings | 100 | 103 |
| Beta | 0.95 | 0.82 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 3.40% |
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
0%
Holdings Overlap
COWZ and SCHD share only 0% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.
COWZ and SCHD share 0% of their top holdings (low overlap). COWZ has 100 total holdings and SCHD has 103.
View data table
| Metric | COWZ | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 0% | 0% |
| Unique Holdings | 100% | 100% |
| Total Holdings | 100 | 103 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
COWZ
Fee cost: $4,052
SCHD
Fee cost: $515
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $3,537 on a $10,000 investment. SCHD saves you more in fees over time.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, COWZ (0.49% fee) grows to $42,558 while SCHD (0.06% fee) grows to $46,094. The fee difference costs $3,536.
View data table
| Year | COWZ Value | SCHD Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,363 | $14,653 |
| 10 | $20,629 | $21,470 |
| 15 | $29,630 | $31,458 |
| 20 | $42,558 | $46,094 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose COWZ if: You want value investors who believe free cash flow yield is a superior valuation metric, those seeking an alternative to traditional price-based value strategies, investors who want exposure to cash-generative businesses regardless of sector. It's managed by Pacer with an expense ratio of 0.49%.
Choose SCHD if: You want income-focused investors who want a reliable and growing dividend stream, conservative investors who prefer lower volatility with quality companies, retirees or pre-retirees building a dividend income portfolio. It's managed by Charles Schwab with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
Can You Own Both COWZ and SCHD?
Absolutely! With only 0% overlap, COWZ and SCHD complement each other well. A simple portfolio might allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other, or you could pair them with a bond ETF like BND for a complete three-fund portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy COWZ or SCHD?▾
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals. However, both are solid options. COWZ is best for investors who want value investors who believe free cash flow yield is a superior valuation metric, while SCHD is better suited for income-focused investors who want a reliable and growing dividend stream.
What is the difference between COWZ and SCHD?▾
COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) tracks free cash flow investments with 100 holdings and a 0.49% expense ratio. SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) focuses on u.s. large-cap dividend with 103 holdings at 0.06%. Their top holdings overlap by 0%.
Can I own both COWZ and SCHD?▾
Yes! With only 0% holdings overlap, COWZ and SCHD complement each other well. Owning both gives you broader diversification.