FDLO vs. PCBIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FDLO (Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF) and PCBIX (Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class) are both funds - FDLO is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Factor Index, while PCBIX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 5 years, FDLO returned 10.20%/yr vs 4.72%/yr for PCBIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDLO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for PCBIX.

Performance

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) and Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDLO achieves a 5.38% return, which is significantly higher than PCBIX's -8.74% return.

FDLO

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 5.38%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: —

PCBIX

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: -0.61%
• YTD: -8.74%
• 6M: -9.47%
• 1Y: -9.92%
• 3Y*: 9.68%
• 5Y*: 4.72%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

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

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	5.38%	11.77%	16.06%	16.38%	-10.38%	24.00%	12.19%	31.10%	-0.26%	20.44%
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	-8.74%	1.62%	23.63%	25.92%	-23.16%	25.22%	18.25%	49.40%	-6.86%	25.32%

Correlation

The correlation between FDLO and PCBIX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2016	0.84

The correlation between FDLO and PCBIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FDLO vs. PCBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDLO

FDLO Risk / Return Rank: 52
FDLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FDLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FDLO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

PCBIX

PCBIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PCBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PCBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) and Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX). 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.

	FDLO	PCBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	-0.70	+2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	-0.92	+3.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	0.90	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	-0.52	+2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.62	-1.15	+10.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is higher than the PCBIX Sharpe Ratio of -0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDLO and PCBIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FDLO	PCBIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	-0.70	+2.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.25	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	0.59	+0.24

Drawdowns

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDLO drawdown since its inception was -34.35%, smaller than the maximum PCBIX drawdown of -50.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDLO and PCBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDLO	PCBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.35%	-50.25%	+15.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.13%	-19.29%	+12.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-19.29%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.23%	-31.17%	+11.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-14.70%	+14.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-6.55%	+3.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	8.71%	-7.08%

Volatility

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) is 1.91%, while Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class (PCBIX) has a volatility of 4.21%. This indicates that FDLO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PCBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDLO	PCBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	4.21%	-2.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.42%	11.19%	-4.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.75%	14.28%	-5.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.06%	18.64%	-5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.50%	19.16%	-3.66%

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDLO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than PCBIX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDLO vs. PCBIX - Dividend Comparison

FDLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than PCBIX's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	1.36%	1.37%	1.40%	1.35%	1.49%	1.11%	1.38%	1.55%	1.76%	1.61%	0.55%	0.00%
PCBIX Principal MidCap Fund Institutional Class	6.37%	5.81%	6.40%	2.51%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.02%	12.24%	3.31%	2.49%	6.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDLO and PCBIX in my portfolio?

FDLO and PCBIX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDLO or PCBIX?

PCBIX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to FDLO (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDLO dropped -34.35% vs PCBIX's -50.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs -0.70), 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.