PIOTX vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PIOTX (Pioneer Core Equity Fund) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) are both funds - PIOTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Amundi, while XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. Over the past 10 years, PIOTX returned 13.62%/yr vs 17.16%/yr for XLG. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PIOTX charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

PIOTX vs. XLG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIOTX achieves a 8.66% return, which is significantly higher than XLG's 3.55% return. Over the past 10 years, PIOTX has underperformed XLG with an annualized return of 13.62%, while XLG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.16% annualized return.

PIOTX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 8.66%
• 6M: 8.01%
• 1Y: 22.80%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: 13.62%

XLG

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -3.59%
• YTD: 3.55%
• 6M: 3.44%
• 1Y: 23.61%
• 3Y*: 22.12%
• 5Y*: 14.84%
• 10Y*: 17.16%

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

PIOTX vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIOTX Pioneer Core Equity Fund	8.66%	16.94%	14.35%	18.18%	-17.27%	25.81%	20.98%	31.42%	-8.32%	24.89%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	3.55%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	30.77%	24.15%	32.04%	-3.59%	23.04%

Correlation

The correlation between PIOTX and XLG 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	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2005	0.89

Over the past year, the correlation between PIOTX and XLG has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.89, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PIOTX vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIOTX

PIOTX Risk / Return Rank: 47
PIOTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PIOTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PIOTX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
PIOTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PIOTX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 47
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

PIOTX vs. XLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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.

	PIOTX	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.71	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.33	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	1.91	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.08	6.89	+2.20

PIOTX vs. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIOTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIOTX and XLG, 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

PIOTX vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIOTX drawdown since its inception was -66.24%, which is greater than XLG's maximum drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIOTX and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIOTX	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.24%	-52.39%	-13.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.35%	-12.41%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.40%	-20.70%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.49%	-28.02%	+1.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.79%	-30.46%	-1.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.72%	-5.13%	+2.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.12%	-7.63%	-12.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.44%	-0.92%

Volatility

PIOTX vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pioneer Core Equity Fund (PIOTX) is 4.31%, while Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) has a volatility of 4.74%. This indicates that PIOTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIOTX	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	4.74%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	10.60%	-1.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.26%	13.86%	-1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.97%	18.77%	-1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.00%	18.89%	-0.89%

PIOTX vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIOTX has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than XLG's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIOTX vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

PIOTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%, more than XLG's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIOTX Pioneer Core Equity Fund	6.93%	7.53%	5.87%	2.83%	7.10%	20.38%	8.56%	3.06%	19.73%	9.04%	1.13%	0.74%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.82%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIOTX and XLG in my portfolio?

PIOTX and XLG 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, PIOTX or XLG?

XLG has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to PIOTX (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIOTX dropped -66.24% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIOTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.71), 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.