GCOW ETF β Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF (GCOW)
GCOW is an ETF. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 3.57%, its trailing-12-month yield is 4.54%, its expense ratio is 0.60%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Scoreβ’ is 76/100 (Generally safe). Fund total return is 187.9% over the past 10.5 years, 185.4 points behind SPY at 373.3%.
At the current 3.57% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $357 per year, or $29.75 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.
Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF is an index-tracking fund that invests at least 80% of its assets in global companies selected for high free cash flow yields combined with strong dividend payments. The fund distributes dividends quarterly at a current moderate distribution rate and carries an expense ratio of 0.60%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking dividend exposure across international markets with an emphasis on companies backed by substantial free cash generation.
GCOW dividend yield and income
Data as of August 19, 2026.
The distribution rate (3.57%) is the latest posted forward yield, paid quarterly. Trailing-12-month yield (4.54%) is the last year of payments divided by the current price. The last dividend was $0.4190. The last ex-dividend date was 06/04/2026. It was paid on 06/08/2026. At 3.57%, $10,000 would generate about $357 a year ($29.75 monthly-equivalent).
| Ex-date | Amount | vs year-ago payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-04 | $0.419 | 30.5% |
| 2026-03-05 | $0.422 | 559.4% |
| 2025-12-30 | $1.005 | 183.1% |
| 2025-09-04 | $0.283 | β |
| 2025-06-05 | $0.321 | β |
| 2025-03-06 | $0.064 | -81.5% |
| 2024-12-27 | $0.355 | 25.9% |
| 2024-09-26 | $0.316 | -60.1% |
| 2024-06-27 | $0.717 | 23.6% |
| 2024-03-21 | $0.346 | 120.4% |
| 2023-12-27 | $0.282 | -26.0% |
| 2023-09-21 | $0.792 | 72.5% |
| 2023-06-22 | $0.58 | 104.2% |
| 2023-03-23 | $0.157 | -41.4% |
| 2022-12-22 | $0.381 | 34.6% |
| 2022-09-22 | $0.459 | -24.8% |
| 2022-06-23 | $0.284 | 47.9% |
| 2022-03-24 | $0.268 | 8.9% |
| 2021-12-23 | $0.283 | -3.1% |
| 2021-09-23 | $0.61 | 19.1% |
| 2021-06-21 | $0.192 | 18.5% |
| 2021-03-22 | $0.246 | 14.4% |
| 2020-12-21 | $0.292 | -16.1% |
| 2020-09-21 | $0.512 | β |
| 2020-06-22 | $0.162 | -42.6% |
| 2020-03-23 | $0.215 | -33.0% |
| 2019-12-24 | $0.348 | 35.4% |
| 2019-06-25 | $0.282 | 15.6% |
| 2019-03-26 | $0.321 | 43.9% |
| 2018-12-24 | $0.257 | 14.2% |
| 2018-09-25 | $0.377 | 43.3% |
| 2018-06-26 | $0.244 | 11.9% |
| 2018-03-27 | $0.223 | 28.9% |
| 2017-12-27 | $0.225 | -1.3% |
| 2017-09-26 | $0.263 | 126.7% |
| 2017-06-27 | $0.218 | 21.8% |
| 2017-03-28 | $0.173 | β |
| 2016-12-28 | $0.228 | β |
| 2016-09-13 | $0.116 | β |
| 2016-06-14 | $0.179 | β |
| 2016 total | $0.523 | β |
| 2017 total | $0.879 | 68.1% |
| 2018 total | $1.101 | 25.3% |
| 2019 total | $0.951 | -13.6% |
| 2020 total | $1.181 | 24.2% |
| 2021 total | $1.331 | 12.7% |
| 2022 total | $1.392 | 4.6% |
| 2023 total | $1.811 | 30.1% |
| 2024 total | $1.734 | -4.3% |
| 2025 total | $1.673 | -3.5% |
| 2026 YTD total | $0.841 | 118.4% |
GCOW dividend growth
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed 106.81%. That is the seasonality-immune income comparison, not a single quarterly check versus the prior quarter. An annualized trend fit on recent payments is 7.74%. That fit can move with uneven quarterly amounts and is not the same as a trailing-12-month cut. The deepest trailing-12-month payout decline in the past five years is -39.63%.
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 1Y | 68.7% |
| 3Y | 53.5% |
| 5Y | 74.9% |
GCOW performance versus SPY
Data as of August 19, 2026.
Fund total return is 187.9% over the past 10.5 years, 185.4 points behind SPY at 373.3%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.7%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| Since inception (10.5 years) | 187.9% | 10.60% |
| 3Y CAGR | β | 17.30% |
| 5Y CAGR | β | 13.40% |
| 10Y CAGR | β | 9.70% |
GCOW key facts
Data as of August 19, 2026.
- Distribution Safety Scoreβ’
- 76 Β· Generally safe
- Safety-Adjusted Yield
- 2.71%
- Issuer
- Pacer
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 02/22/2016
- Expense ratio
- 0.60%
- Distribution rate
- 3.57%
- Distribution frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing yield
- 4.54%
- Last close
- $46.93
- AUM
- $3,463,754,551
- Average volume
- 223271.0
- Last dividend
- $0.4190
- Ex-dividend date
- 06/04/2026
- Payment date
- 06/08/2026
- Beta
- 0.37
- P/E ratio
- 15.826
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (3.57%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as βDistribution Rateβ on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (4.54%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date β all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.
Distribution rate methodology Β· Distribution Safety Score methodology Β· SEC yield
Sources and review
Data as of August 19, 2026.
Primary sources: Pacer; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
GCOW risks and drawbacks
GCOW's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout β the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 8.7%.
Who may consider GCOW β and who may not
GCOW may suit someone looking for moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (GCOW pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
Does GCOW pay monthly?
No. GCOW currently pays quarterly, not monthly.
What is GCOW's expense ratio?
GCOW's expense ratio is 0.60%.
What is GCOW's dividend yield?
GCOW currently yields 3.57%, paid quarterly, with a 0.60% expense ratio.
How has GCOW's dividend grown?
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed 106.81%. That is not a single quarter versus the prior quarter.
When does GCOW pay a dividend?
GCOW pays quarterly. The last dividend was $0.4190. The last ex-dividend date was 06/04/2026. It was paid on 06/08/2026.
How has GCOW performed?
Fund total return is 187.9% over the past 10.5 years, 185.4 points behind SPY at 373.3%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.7%.
Is GCOW a good investment?
GCOW's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 76 (Generally safe). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. It currently yields 3.57%. Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
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