PMBMX vs. VLIFX
PMBMX (Principal MidCap Fund) and VLIFX (Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PMBMX returned 11.55%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for VLIFX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMBMX charges 1.15%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for VLIFX.
Performance
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PMBMX achieves a -3.42% return, which is significantly lower than VLIFX's 1.21% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PMBMX having a 11.55% annualized return and VLIFX not far ahead at 11.64%.
PMBMX
- 1D
- 1.30%
- 1M
- 3.56%
- 6M
- -6.20%
- YTD
- -3.42%
- 1Y
- -8.20%
- 3Y*
- 8.78%
- 5Y*
- 4.95%
- 10Y*
- 11.55%
VLIFX
- 1D
- 0.91%
- 1M
- 1.60%
- 6M
- -3.00%
- YTD
- 1.21%
- 1Y
- 0.34%
- 3Y*
- 5.61%
- 5Y*
- 5.89%
- 10Y*
- 11.64%
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund | -3.42% | 1.16% | 23.38% | 25.36% | -23.52% | 24.63% | 17.69% | 49.09% | -7.28% | 24.73% |
VLIFX Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund | 1.21% | 0.79% | 7.59% | 22.11% | -9.60% | 19.76% | 19.96% | 35.30% | 4.65% | 19.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between PMBMX and VLIFX is 0.81, 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 | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2000 | 0.90 |
The correlation between PMBMX and VLIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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. VLIFX — Risk / Return Rank
PMBMX
VLIFX
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) and Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund (VLIFX). 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 | VLIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.93 | 1.02 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.38 | 0.09 | -0.47 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.75 | 0.24 | -0.99 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PMBMX drawdown since its inception was -50.69%, smaller than the maximum VLIFX drawdown of -61.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMBMX and VLIFX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PMBMX | VLIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.69% | -61.48% | +10.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.53% | -11.81% | -7.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.53% | -17.66% | -1.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.48% | -21.91% | -9.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.60% | -35.51% | -5.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.90% | -6.36% | -3.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.75% | -15.64% | +8.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.80% | 4.35% | +5.45% |
Volatility
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Volatility Comparison
Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) has a higher volatility of 3.94% compared to Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund (VLIFX) at 2.73%. This indicates that PMBMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VLIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| PMBMX | VLIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.94% | 2.73% | +1.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.75% | 10.08% | +1.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.77% | 13.46% | +1.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.73% | 16.88% | +1.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.13% | 17.81% | +1.32% |
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PMBMX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VLIFX's 1.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
PMBMX vs. VLIFX - Dividend Comparison
PMBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.64%, more than VLIFX's 2.13% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund | 6.64% | 6.41% | 6.86% | 2.68% | 3.43% | 8.51% | 1.15% | 9.00% | 12.79% | 3.39% | 2.16% | 6.38% |
VLIFX Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund | 2.13% | 2.16% | 0.99% | 0.03% | 7.22% | 8.23% | 7.81% | 1.42% | 5.12% | 1.61% | 2.24% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PMBMX and VLIFX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PMBMX has higher volatility (3.94%) compared to VLIFX (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMBMX dropped -50.69% vs VLIFX's -61.48%.
VLIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.08 vs -0.50), 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 VLIFX
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