CIMDX vs. PMDIX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

CIMDX (Clarkston Founders Fund) and PMDIX (Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, CIMDX returned 0.78%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for PMDIX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CIMDX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PMDIX.

Performance

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Clarkston Founders Fund (CIMDX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CIMDX achieves a -7.17% return, which is significantly lower than PMDIX's 16.15% return.

CIMDX

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -1.78%
• YTD: -7.17%
• 6M: -8.00%
• 1Y: -0.47%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 0.78%
• 10Y*: —

PMDIX

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: 16.15%
• 6M: 14.15%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.74%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CIMDX Clarkston Founders Fund	-7.17%	7.35%	5.67%	10.38%	-3.67%	6.23%	23.21%	23.74%	-7.85%	11.25%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	16.15%	8.63%	14.56%	18.81%	-11.66%	30.41%	-6.40%	25.38%	-13.80%	11.28%

Correlation

The correlation between CIMDX and PMDIX is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between CIMDX and PMDIX has dropped to 0.61 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CIMDX vs. PMDIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CIMDX

CIMDX Risk / Return Rank: 3
CIMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
CIMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
CIMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
CIMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CIMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

PMDIX

PMDIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PMDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PMDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PMDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
PMDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
PMDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Clarkston Founders Fund (CIMDX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CIMDX	PMDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	1.77	-1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.10	2.68	-2.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.31	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.52	-2.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.04	9.25	-9.29

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIMDX Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the PMDIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIMDX and PMDIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIMDX drawdown since its inception was -31.86%, smaller than the maximum PMDIX drawdown of -46.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIMDX and PMDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIMDX	PMDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.86%	-46.47%	+14.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-10.55%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.82%	-21.36%	+6.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.98%	-21.36%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.67%	-0.92%	-9.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.92%	-5.28%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.98%	2.87%	+2.11%

Volatility

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Volatility Comparison

Clarkston Founders Fund (CIMDX) has a higher volatility of 5.35% compared to Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) at 4.48%. This indicates that CIMDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIMDX	PMDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.35%	4.48%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.55%	11.14%	+1.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.40%	15.04%	+1.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.06%	18.78%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.52%	20.25%	-2.73%

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIMDX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than PMDIX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIMDX vs. PMDIX - Dividend Comparison

CIMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than PMDIX's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIMDX Clarkston Founders Fund	3.49%	3.24%	0.45%	1.62%	6.38%	0.44%	0.91%	3.32%	2.27%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	2.71%	3.14%	7.99%	2.37%	6.95%	0.98%	1.37%	2.82%	17.83%	5.77%	2.84%	4.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIMDX and PMDIX in my portfolio?

CIMDX and PMDIX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CIMDX or PMDIX?

CIMDX has higher volatility (5.35%) compared to PMDIX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIMDX dropped -31.86% vs PMDIX's -46.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PMDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.01), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.