PISMX vs. VFSNX
PISMX (Principal International Small Company Fund) and VFSNX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PISMX returned 6.76%/yr vs 8.21%/yr for VFSNX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PISMX charges 1.16%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VFSNX.
Performance
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PISMX achieves a 5.20% return, which is significantly lower than VFSNX's 11.76% return. Over the past 10 years, PISMX has underperformed VFSNX with an annualized return of 6.76%, while VFSNX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.21% annualized return.
PISMX
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 3.14%
- YTD
- 5.20%
- 6M
- 7.15%
- 1Y
- 16.87%
- 3Y*
- 14.51%
- 5Y*
- 3.93%
- 10Y*
- 6.76%
VFSNX
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- 1.81%
- YTD
- 11.76%
- 6M
- 14.55%
- 1Y
- 28.61%
- 3Y*
- 17.18%
- 5Y*
- 6.19%
- 10Y*
- 8.21%
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PISMX Principal International Small Company Fund | 5.20% | 32.35% | 1.09% | 13.19% | -21.93% | 8.18% | 5.60% | 26.71% | -20.26% | 35.80% |
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 11.76% | 29.97% | 2.63% | 15.18% | -21.26% | 12.74% | 11.92% | 21.72% | -18.46% | 30.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between PISMX and VFSNX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015 | 0.93 |
The correlation between PISMX and VFSNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PISMX vs. VFSNX — Risk / Return Rank
PISMX
VFSNX
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Small Company Fund (PISMX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). 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.
| PISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.39 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.16 | 2.46 | -1.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.99 | 9.47 | -5.48 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 2.11 | -1.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 | 0.41 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.40 | 0.52 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.41 | 0.59 | -0.18 |
Drawdowns
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PISMX drawdown since its inception was -43.91%, roughly equal to the maximum VFSNX drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PISMX and VFSNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.91% | -43.65% | -0.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.73% | -11.47% | -2.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.73% | -14.70% | +0.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.48% | -33.75% | -2.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.91% | -43.65% | -0.26% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.94% | -1.09% | -2.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.60% | -9.49% | -1.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.99% | 2.98% | +1.01% |
Volatility
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Volatility Comparison
Principal International Small Company Fund (PISMX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) have volatilities of 4.31% and 4.30%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.31% | 4.30% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.23% | 11.19% | +1.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.86% | 13.40% | +1.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.57% | 15.03% | +1.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.85% | 15.76% | +1.09% |
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PISMX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSNX's 0.11% expense ratio.
Dividends
PISMX vs. VFSNX - Dividend Comparison
PISMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than VFSNX's 3.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PISMX Principal International Small Company Fund | 2.79% | 2.93% | 4.01% | 1.97% | 1.20% | 9.45% | 1.22% | 2.83% | 9.46% | 4.93% | 0.29% | 1.25% |
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.01% | 3.36% | 3.41% | 3.11% | 2.26% | 2.70% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.81% | 2.85% | 2.93% | 2.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, PISMX and VFSNX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
PISMX has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to VFSNX (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PISMX dropped -43.91% vs VFSNX's -43.65%.
VFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.08), 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.
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