PMAQX vs. SCHM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) and SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - PMAQX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal Funds, while SCHM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Mid-Cap. Over the past 5 years, PMAQX returned 5.48%/yr vs 8.58%/yr for SCHM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMAQX charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHM.

Performance

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) 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, PMAQX achieves a -5.92% return, which is significantly lower than SCHM's 21.21% return.

PMAQX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: -5.92%
• 6M: -7.15%
• 1Y: -6.74%
• 3Y*: 9.98%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: —

SCHM

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 4.69%
• YTD: 21.21%
• 6M: 18.53%
• 1Y: 34.77%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 8.58%
• 10Y*: 11.91%

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

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-5.92%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	25.29%	18.38%	49.59%	-6.79%	24.68%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	21.21%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.60%

Correlation

The correlation between PMAQX and SCHM is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.88

The correlation between PMAQX and SCHM shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PMAQX vs. SCHM — 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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. SCHM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) 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.

	PMAQX	SCHM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.44	2.16	-2.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.54	3.00	-3.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.37	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	3.75	-4.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.71	14.98	-15.69

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMAQX Sharpe Ratio is -0.44, which is lower than the SCHM Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMAQX 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

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMAQX drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHM drawdown of -42.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMAQX and SCHM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMAQX	SCHM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.56%	-42.43%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.25%	-9.32%	-9.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.25%	-23.27%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.10%	-26.46%	-4.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.04%	0.00%	-12.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-5.64%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.09%	2.33%	+6.76%

Volatility

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) is 4.40%, while Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that PMAQX 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

	PMAQX	SCHM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	5.46%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.63%	12.47%	-0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	16.23%	-1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.69%	19.65%	-0.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.47%	20.51%	-1.04%

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMAQX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMAQX vs. SCHM - Dividend Comparison

PMAQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.17%, more than SCHM's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.17%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.20%	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 PMAQX and SCHM in my portfolio?

PMAQX and SCHM have a correlation of 0.74, 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 SCHM?

SCHM has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to PMAQX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMAQX dropped -40.56% vs SCHM's -42.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs -0.44), 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.