PMBMX vs. QQQ
PMBMX (Principal MidCap Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - PMBMX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, PMBMX returned 11.48%/yr vs 20.86%/yr for QQQ. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PMBMX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.
Performance
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PMBMX achieves a -3.04% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 18.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PMBMX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.48%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 20.86% annualized return.
PMBMX
- 1D
- 1.76%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- 6M
- -0.05%
- YTD
- -3.04%
- 1Y
- -8.59%
- 3Y*
- 9.79%
- 5Y*
- 4.15%
- 10Y*
- 11.48%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.33%
QQQ
- 1D
- 3.40%
- 1M
- 1.58%
- 6M
- 17.69%
- YTD
- 18.11%
- 1Y
- 28.94%
- 3Y*
- 25.56%
- 5Y*
- 15.07%
- 10Y*
- 20.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.84%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $33.34B | $28.86B | $31.95B |
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund | -3.04% | 1.16% | 23.38% | 25.36% | -23.52% | 24.63% | 17.69% | 49.09% | -7.28% | 24.73% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 18.11% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between PMBMX and QQQ is 0.37, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.55 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.70 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2000 | 0.77 |
Over the past year, the correlation between PMBMX and QQQ has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PMBMX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
PMBMX
QQQ
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.
| PMBMX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.94 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.26 | -0.32 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.35 | 2.43 | -2.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.68 | 7.72 | -8.40 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PMBMX drawdown since its inception was -50.69%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMBMX and QQQ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PMBMX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.69% | -82.97% | +32.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.49% | -11.96% | -7.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.53% | -22.77% | +3.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.48% | -35.12% | +3.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.60% | -35.12% | -5.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.54% | -2.88% | -6.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.76% | -32.61% | +25.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.05% | 3.76% | +6.29% |
Volatility
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) is 5.29%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.63%. This indicates that PMBMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PMBMX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.29% | 7.63% | -2.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.17% | 16.43% | -4.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.28% | 19.61% | -4.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.78% | 22.97% | -4.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.18% | 22.54% | -3.36% |
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
PMBMX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
PMBMX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
PMBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund | 6.61% | 6.41% | 6.86% | 2.68% | 3.43% | 8.51% | 1.15% | 9.00% | 12.79% | 3.39% | 2.16% | 6.38% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.42% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PMBMX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to PMBMX (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMBMX dropped -50.69% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs -0.45), 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.
Find the right allocation for PMBMX and QQQ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer