FESCX vs. PMAQX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FESCX (First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund) and PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) are both mutual funds - FESCX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by First Eagle, while PMAQX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal Funds. Over the past 3 years, FESCX returned 19.54%/yr vs 9.74%/yr for PMAQX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FESCX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PMAQX.

Performance

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) and Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FESCX achieves a 30.84% return, which is significantly higher than PMAQX's -6.87% return.

FESCX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 6.97%
• YTD: 30.84%
• 6M: 28.19%
• 1Y: 53.31%
• 3Y*: 19.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PMAQX

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: -6.87%
• 6M: -8.16%
• 1Y: -8.80%
• 3Y*: 9.74%
• 5Y*: 4.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	30.84%	13.33%	6.47%	16.75%	-14.05%	1.23%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-6.87%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	9.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FESCX and PMAQX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2021	0.79

The correlation between FESCX and PMAQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FESCX vs. PMAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FESCX

FESCX Risk / Return Rank: 89
FESCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FESCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FESCX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FESCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FESCX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

PMAQX

PMAQX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PMAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX 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.

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) and Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX). 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.

	FESCX	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	-0.53	+3.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	-0.66	+4.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	0.93	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.38	-0.40	+5.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.37	-0.84	+20.22

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FESCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is higher than the PMAQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FESCX and PMAQX, 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

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FESCX drawdown since its inception was -28.53%, smaller than the maximum PMAQX drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FESCX and PMAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FESCX	PMAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.53%	-40.56%	+12.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.26%	-19.25%	+8.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.53%	-19.25%	-9.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-12.93%	+12.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.75%	-6.84%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	9.13%	-6.29%

Volatility

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) has a higher volatility of 6.39% compared to Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) at 4.41%. This indicates that FESCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMAQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FESCX	PMAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.39%	4.41%	+1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.18%	11.67%	+2.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.83%	14.68%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.67%	18.69%	+3.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.67%	19.47%	+3.20%

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FESCX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than PMAQX's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FESCX vs. PMAQX - Dividend Comparison

FESCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less than PMAQX's 6.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	0.79%	1.03%	1.56%	0.60%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.23%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FESCX and PMAQX in my portfolio?

FESCX and PMAQX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FESCX or PMAQX?

FESCX has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to PMAQX (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FESCX dropped -28.53% vs PMAQX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs -0.53), 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.