GQGU vs. USMC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU) and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC).

GQGU and USMC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GQGU is an actively managed fund by GQG Partners. It was launched on Jul 14, 2025. USMC is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq US Mega Cap Select Leaders Index. It was launched on Oct 12, 2017.

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.

GQGU vs. USMC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	9.61%	-1.14%
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	-6.05%	9.93%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GQGU achieves a 9.61% return, which is significantly higher than USMC's -6.05% return.

GQGU

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 9.61%
• 6M: 7.66%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USMC

• 1D: 2.86%
• 1M: -4.04%
• YTD: -6.05%
• 6M: -5.28%
• 1Y: 14.22%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 10Y*: —

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

GQGU vs. USMC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

GQGU

GQG US Equity ETF

USMC

Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

GQGU vs. USMC — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMC

USMC Risk / Return Rank: 50
USMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
USMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
USMC Omega Ratio Rank: 49
USMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
USMC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GQGU	USMC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.74	+0.51

Correlation

The correlation between GQGU and USMC is -0.06. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Dividends

GQGU vs. USMC - Dividend Comparison

GQGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, more than USMC's 0.84% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.93%	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	0.84%	0.79%	1.04%	1.35%	1.78%	1.53%	1.55%	2.01%	2.28%	0.24%

Drawdowns

GQGU vs. USMC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQGU drawdown since its inception was -6.65%, 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	-6.65%	-29.97%	+23.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.16%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.96%	-7.74%	+5.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-4.47%	+2.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.99%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GQGU	USMC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.00%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.23%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.55%	17.82%	-8.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.55%	16.36%	-6.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.55%	18.36%	-8.81%