PINIX vs. PMDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PINIX (Principal International Fund I) and PMDIX (Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PINIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Principal, while PMDIX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PINIX returned 10.25%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for PMDIX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PINIX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PMDIX.

Performance

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal International Fund I (PINIX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PINIX achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly lower than PMDIX's 12.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PINIX having a 10.25% annualized return and PMDIX not far behind at 9.85%.

PINIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 6.21%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 27.17%
• 3Y*: 23.05%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

PMDIX

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 12.33%
• 6M: 12.11%
• 1Y: 24.11%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PINIX Principal International Fund I	9.32%	35.47%	19.56%	15.88%	-25.29%	12.57%	13.98%	32.11%	-23.68%	38.83%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	12.33%	8.63%	14.56%	18.81%	-11.66%	30.41%	-6.40%	25.38%	-13.80%	13.30%

Correlation

The correlation between PINIX and PMDIX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2011	0.72

The correlation between PINIX and PMDIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PINIX vs. PMDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PINIX

PINIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PINIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PINIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PINIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PMDIX

PMDIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
PMDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PMDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PMDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
PMDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
PMDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Fund I (PINIX) and Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX). 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.

	PINIX	PMDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.76	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.65	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.47	+0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.76	9.04	+2.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PINIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the PMDIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PINIX and PMDIX, 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

	PINIX	PMDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.76	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.51	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.49	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.56	-0.18

Drawdowns

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PINIX drawdown since its inception was -61.44%, which is greater than PMDIX's maximum drawdown of -46.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PINIX and PMDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PINIX	PMDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.44%	-46.47%	-14.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.81%	-10.55%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.11%	-21.36%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.34%	-21.36%	-13.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.57%	-46.47%	+7.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.95%	+0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.58%	-5.30%	-9.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	2.87%	-0.58%

Volatility

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal International Fund I (PINIX) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund (PMDIX) at 3.86%. This indicates that PINIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PINIX	PMDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	3.86%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	10.89%	+1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	14.83%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	18.78%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.37%	20.26%	-2.89%

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PINIX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than PMDIX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

PINIX vs. PMDIX - Dividend Comparison

PINIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, more than PMDIX's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PINIX Principal International Fund I	3.42%	3.74%	24.40%	2.97%	2.98%	14.41%	6.64%	2.43%	8.13%	1.04%	1.05%	0.77%
PMDIX Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Income Fund	2.85%	3.14%	7.99%	2.37%	6.95%	0.98%	1.37%	2.82%	17.83%	5.77%	2.84%	4.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PINIX and PMDIX in my portfolio?

PINIX and PMDIX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PINIX or PMDIX?

PINIX has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to PMDIX (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PINIX dropped -61.44% vs PMDIX's -46.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PINIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.76), 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.