PIDIX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PIDIX (Principal International Equity Index Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - PIDIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Principal, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, PIDIX returned 9.18%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PIDIX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

PIDIX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PIDIX having a 9.50% return and VUG slightly lower at 9.49%. Over the past 10 years, PIDIX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 9.18%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

PIDIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 9.50%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 21.95%
• 3Y*: 17.24%
• 5Y*: 8.80%
• 10Y*: 9.18%

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

PIDIX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIDIX Principal International Equity Index Fund	9.50%	31.07%	4.72%	17.87%	-14.43%	11.07%	7.78%	21.42%	-13.57%	24.87%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PIDIX and VUG 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	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.72

The correlation between PIDIX and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (3 years) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PIDIX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIDIX

PIDIX Risk / Return Rank: 25
PIDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
PIDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PIDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PIDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
PIDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PIDIX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	PIDIX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.77	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.40	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.31	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	1.69	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	5.92	+1.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PIDIX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIDIX and VUG, 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

	PIDIX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	1.77	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.68	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.85	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.62	-0.22

Drawdowns

PIDIX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIDIX drawdown since its inception was -34.13%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIDIX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIDIX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.13%	-50.68%	+16.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.31%	-16.53%	+5.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.59%	-22.85%	+9.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.50%	-35.61%	+6.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.13%	-35.61%	+1.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-1.51%	+1.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.49%	-7.09%	-0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	4.71%	-1.69%

Volatility

PIDIX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) has a higher volatility of 4.71% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that PIDIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIDIX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	3.83%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.29%	12.11%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.12%	15.84%	-0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	22.22%	-6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.33%	21.44%	-5.11%

PIDIX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIDIX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIDIX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

PIDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.13%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIDIX Principal International Equity Index Fund	3.13%	3.43%	5.85%	3.81%	2.82%	5.14%	2.34%	3.36%	3.91%	3.48%	2.82%	3.67%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIDIX and VUG in my portfolio?

PIDIX and VUG 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, PIDIX or VUG?

PIDIX has higher volatility (4.71%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIDIX dropped -34.13% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.40), 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.