PIREX vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PIREX (Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - PIREX is a REIT fund tracking the U.S. REIT Linked Index, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PIREX returned 6.49%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for SCHM. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PIREX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

PIREX vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional (PIREX) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIREX achieves a 12.94% return, which is significantly lower than SCHM's 19.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PIREX has underperformed SCHM with an annualized return of 6.49%, while SCHM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.71% annualized return.

PIREX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: -0.72%
• YTD: 12.94%
• 6M: 13.29%
• 1Y: 9.49%
• 3Y*: 10.94%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 6.49%

SCHM

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 19.11%
• 6M: 16.97%
• 1Y: 31.33%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 11.71%

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

PIREX vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIREX Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional	12.94%	1.21%	5.43%	13.32%	-25.23%	39.62%	-3.32%	31.14%	-4.34%	9.00%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	19.11%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PIREX and SCHM is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between PIREX and SCHM has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PIREX vs. SCHM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIREX

PIREX Risk / Return Rank: 13
PIREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PIREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
PIREX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PIREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
PIREX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

PIREX vs. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional (PIREX) and Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM). 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.

	PIREX	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.93	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.72	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.34	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	3.38	-1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.96	13.48	-9.52

PIREX vs. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIREX and SCHM, 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

PIREX vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIREX drawdown since its inception was -69.88%, which is greater than SCHM's maximum drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIREX and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIREX	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.88%	-42.43%	-27.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.44%	-9.32%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.72%	-23.27%	+7.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.84%	-26.46%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.22%	-42.43%	+1.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-1.73%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.27%	-5.64%	-5.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.33%	+0.44%

Volatility

PIREX vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional (PIREX) is 4.83%, while Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that PIREX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIREX	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.83%	5.75%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	12.61%	-2.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.33%	16.30%	-2.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.40%	19.67%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.72%	20.49%	-0.77%

PIREX vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIREX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIREX vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

PIREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.25%, more than SCHM's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIREX Principal Real Estate Securities Fund Institutional	2.25%	2.67%	4.16%	2.67%	3.56%	4.18%	2.67%	3.02%	4.17%	3.65%	4.45%	6.96%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.22%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIREX and SCHM in my portfolio?

PIREX and SCHM have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIREX or SCHM?

SCHM has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to PIREX (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIREX dropped -69.88% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.83), 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.