FNY vs. PMAQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNY (First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FNY returned 8.42%/yr vs 5.27%/yr for PMAQX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FNY charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PMAQX.

Performance

FNY vs. PMAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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, FNY achieves a 14.89% return, which is significantly higher than PMAQX's -7.36% return.

FNY

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 13.68%

PMAQX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: -7.36%
• 6M: -7.95%
• 1Y: -8.59%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

FNY vs. PMAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	14.89%	14.03%	18.09%	21.13%	-23.80%	13.46%	36.97%	32.54%	-7.53%	24.37%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-7.36%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	25.29%	18.38%	49.59%	-6.79%	24.68%

Correlation

The correlation between FNY and PMAQX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.83

The correlation between FNY and PMAQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FNY vs. PMAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNY

FNY Risk / Return Rank: 47
FNY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FNY Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FNY Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

FNY vs. PMAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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.

	FNY	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	-0.58	+2.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	-0.74	+2.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	0.92	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	-0.43	+2.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.30	-0.95	+10.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNY vs. PMAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNY Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the PMAQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNY 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FNY	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	-0.58	+2.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.28	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.62	-0.06

Drawdowns

FNY vs. PMAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNY drawdown since its inception was -38.91%, roughly equal to the maximum PMAQX drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNY and PMAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNY	PMAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.91%	-40.56%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.01%	-19.25%	+7.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.97%	-19.25%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.94%	-31.10%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-13.39%	+12.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.60%	-6.81%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.30%	8.64%	-5.34%

Volatility

FNY vs. PMAQX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) at 4.06%. This indicates that FNY'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

	FNY	PMAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	4.06%	+2.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.04%	11.15%	+3.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.91%	14.22%	+5.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.30%	18.63%	+3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	19.48%	+2.86%

FNY vs. PMAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNY has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than PMAQX's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNY vs. PMAQX - Dividend Comparison

FNY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than PMAQX's 6.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.03%	0.03%	0.56%	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%	0.25%	0.28%	0.06%	0.21%	0.60%	0.46%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.26%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNY and PMAQX in my portfolio?

FNY and PMAQX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNY or PMAQX?

FNY has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to PMAQX (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNY dropped -38.91% vs PMAQX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs -0.58), 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.