PMAQX vs. FESCX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) and FESCX (First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund) are both mutual funds - PMAQX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal Funds, while FESCX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by First Eagle. Over the past 3 years, PMAQX returned 9.77%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for FESCX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PMAQX charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for FESCX.

Performance

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMAQX achieves a -8.72% return, which is significantly lower than FESCX's 24.63% return.

PMAQX

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: -0.61%
• YTD: -8.72%
• 6M: -9.43%
• 1Y: -9.84%
• 3Y*: 9.77%
• 5Y*: 4.81%
• 10Y*: —

FESCX

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 24.63%
• 6M: 24.10%
• 1Y: 49.18%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-8.72%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	9.98%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	24.63%	13.33%	6.47%	16.75%	-14.05%	1.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PMAQX and FESCX 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	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2021	0.79

The correlation between PMAQX and FESCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PMAQX vs. FESCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMAQX

PMAQX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PMAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

FESCX

FESCX Risk / Return Rank: 78
FESCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
FESCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FESCX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FESCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FESCX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). 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.

	PMAQX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.70	2.55	-3.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.91	3.52	-4.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.43	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	4.77	-5.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.14	17.25	-18.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMAQX Sharpe Ratio is -0.70, which is lower than the FESCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMAQX and FESCX, 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

	PMAQX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.70	2.55	-3.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.40	+0.21

Drawdowns

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMAQX drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, which is greater than FESCX's maximum drawdown of -28.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMAQX and FESCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMAQX	FESCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-28.53%	-12.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.25%	-10.26%	-8.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.25%	-28.53%	+9.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.65%	-0.82%	-13.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.82%	-8.84%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.69%	2.83%	+5.86%

Volatility

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) is 4.21%, while First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that PMAQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FESCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMAQX	FESCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	5.41%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	13.55%	-2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.29%	19.31%	-5.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.64%	22.65%	-4.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.48%	22.65%	-3.17%

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMAQX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FESCX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMAQX vs. FESCX - Dividend Comparison

PMAQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.35%, more than FESCX's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	0.83%	1.03%	1.56%	0.60%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.35%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMAQX and FESCX in my portfolio?

PMAQX and FESCX 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, PMAQX or FESCX?

FESCX has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to PMAQX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMAQX dropped -40.56% vs FESCX's -28.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs -0.70), 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.