GQGU vs. USMC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GQGU (GQG US Equity ETF) and USMC (Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GQGU is actively managed, while USMC is passively managed. Over the past year, GQGU returned 7.17% vs 20.36% for USMC. Their -0.15 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. GQGU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for USMC.

Performance

GQGU vs. USMC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GQGU achieves a 6.80% return, which is significantly lower than USMC's 8.72% return.

GQGU

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.17%
• 6M: 2.86%
• YTD: 6.80%
• 1Y: 7.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.35%

USMC

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 0.13%
• 6M: 9.88%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 1Y: 20.36%
• 3Y*: 19.26%
• 5Y*: 14.11%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.93%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	$4.04M	$3.49M	$3.46M
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	$7.10M	$6.59M	$6.39M

GQGU vs. USMC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	6.80%	-1.12%
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	8.72%	10.06%

Correlation

The correlation between GQGU and USMC is -0.16, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2025	-0.15

Return for Risk

GQGU vs. USMC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GQGU

GQGU Risk / Return Rank: 26
GQGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GQGU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
GQGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GQGU Martin Ratio Rank: 25

USMC

USMC Risk / Return Rank: 59
USMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
USMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
USMC Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
USMC Martin Ratio Rank: 57

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GQGU vs. USMC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC). 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.

	GQGU	USMC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	1.49	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	2.12	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.26	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.83	1.82	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.92	6.78	-4.86

GQGU vs. USMC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQGU Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the USMC Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQGU and USMC, 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

GQGU vs. USMC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQGU drawdown since its inception was -8.41%, smaller than the maximum USMC drawdown of -29.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQGU and USMC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQGU	USMC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-29.97%	+21.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.41%	-10.30%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.12%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.47%	-1.03%	-3.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-4.35%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	2.75%	+0.89%

Volatility

GQGU vs. USMC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) is 2.85%, while Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) has a volatility of 3.47%. This indicates that GQGU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USMC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GQGU	USMC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	3.47%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.51%	9.64%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.67%	12.60%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.58%	16.46%	-5.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.58%	18.18%	-7.60%

GQGU vs. USMC - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQGU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than USMC's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQGU vs. USMC - Dividend Comparison

GQGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than USMC's 0.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.95%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	0.76%	0.79%	1.04%	1.35%	1.78%	1.53%	1.55%	2.01%	2.28%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQGU and USMC in my portfolio?

GQGU and USMC have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQGU or USMC?

USMC has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to GQGU (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQGU dropped -8.41% vs USMC's -29.97%.

Which ETF is better, GQGU or USMC?

On 1-year performance, USMC leads with 20.36% vs 7.17% for GQGU. On fees, USMC is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, GQGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQGU or USMC?

Over the 1-year period, USMC has performed better with a 20.36% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQGU or USMC?

USMC is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for GQGU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GQGU or USMC?

GQGU has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.76% for USMC.

What is the main difference between GQGU and USMC?

They also come from different issuers: GQG Partners and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for GQGU and 0.12% for USMC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USMC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 0.66), 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.