PMBMX vs. VO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PMBMX (Principal MidCap Fund) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both funds - PMBMX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, PMBMX returned 11.39%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for VO. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PMBMX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VO.

Performance

PMBMX vs. VO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PMBMX achieves a -7.57% return, which is significantly lower than VO's 10.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PMBMX having a 11.39% annualized return and VO not far ahead at 11.55%.

PMBMX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: -7.57%
• 6M: -8.19%
• 1Y: -9.08%
• 3Y*: 9.81%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

VO

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 18.13%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

PMBMX vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund	-7.57%	1.16%	23.38%	25.36%	-23.52%	24.63%	17.69%	49.09%	-7.28%	24.73%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	10.05%	11.62%	15.31%	16.03%	-18.73%	24.70%	18.10%	30.98%	-9.24%	19.28%

Correlation

The correlation between PMBMX and VO 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	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.94

The correlation between PMBMX and VO shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.94 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PMBMX vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMBMX

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

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 43
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

PMBMX vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.

	PMBMX	VO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.61	1.48	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.79	2.14	-2.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.26	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.45	2.23	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.99	8.50	-9.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMBMX vs. VO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMBMX Sharpe Ratio is -0.61, which is lower than the VO Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMBMX and VO, 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

	PMBMX	VO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.61	1.48	-2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.45	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.61	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.50	+0.06

Drawdowns

PMBMX vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMBMX drawdown since its inception was -50.69%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMBMX and VO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMBMX	VO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.69%	-58.87%	+8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.53%	-8.17%	-11.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-19.02%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.48%	-27.57%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-39.37%	-1.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.76%	-0.45%	-13.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-7.86%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.83%	2.14%	+6.69%

Volatility

PMBMX vs. VO - Volatility Comparison

Principal MidCap Fund (PMBMX) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) at 2.99%. This indicates that PMBMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMBMX	VO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	2.99%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	9.21%	+1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.24%	12.34%	+1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.65%	17.59%	+1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.18%	18.95%	+0.23%

PMBMX vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PMBMX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PMBMX vs. VO - Dividend Comparison

PMBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.93%, more than VO's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMBMX Principal MidCap Fund	6.93%	6.41%	6.86%	2.68%	3.43%	8.51%	1.15%	9.00%	12.79%	3.39%	2.16%	6.38%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.36%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PMBMX and VO in my portfolio?

PMBMX and VO 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.

Which is riskier, PMBMX or VO?

PMBMX has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to VO (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PMBMX dropped -50.69% vs VO's -58.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs -0.61), 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.