PMFMX vs. ^SP400

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund (PMFMX) and S&P 400 Index (^SP400).

PMFMX is managed by Principal. It was launched on Dec 6, 2000.

Performance

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund (PMFMX) and S&P 400 Index (^SP400). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMFMX Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund	3.22%	6.77%	28.52%	15.61%	-13.60%	23.61%	12.90%	25.34%	-11.89%	15.35%
^SP400 S&P 400 Index	3.12%	5.90%	12.20%	14.45%	-14.48%	23.21%	11.81%	24.05%	-12.50%	14.45%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PMFMX having a 3.22% return and ^SP400 slightly lower at 3.12%. Over the past 10 years, PMFMX has outperformed ^SP400 with an annualized return of 11.22%, while ^SP400 has yielded a comparatively lower 9.01% annualized return.

PMFMX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -3.71%
• YTD: 3.22%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 15.08%
• 3Y*: 16.48%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

^SP400

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -3.76%
• YTD: 3.12%
• 6M: 3.95%
• 1Y: 14.30%
• 3Y*: 10.72%
• 5Y*: 5.18%
• 10Y*: 9.01%

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

Return for Risk

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 — Risk / Return Rank

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

PMFMX

PMFMX Risk / Return Rank: 33
PMFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PMFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
PMFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
PMFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
PMFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

^SP400

^SP400 Risk / Return Rank: 43
^SP400 Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
^SP400 Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
^SP400 Omega Ratio Rank: 41
^SP400 Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
^SP400 Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund (PMFMX) and S&P 400 Index (^SP400). 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.

	PMFMX	^SP400	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	0.69	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	1.11	+0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.15	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.14	+0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	4.80	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PMFMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is comparable to the ^SP400 Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PMFMX and ^SP400, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PMFMX	^SP400	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81	0.69	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.26	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.43	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.48	-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between PMFMX and ^SP400 is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PMFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, roughly equal to the maximum ^SP400 drawdown of -56.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PMFMX and ^SP400.

Drawdown Indicators

	PMFMX	^SP400	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-56.32%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-8.96%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.08%	-24.46%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.02%	-42.14%	+0.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.45%	-5.51%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-7.18%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	3.35%	-0.04%

Volatility

PMFMX vs. ^SP400 - Volatility Comparison

Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund (PMFMX) and S&P 400 Index (^SP400) have volatilities of 6.41% and 6.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PMFMX	^SP400	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	6.38%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.83%	11.83%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.98%	20.98%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.57%	19.63%	+0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	20.97%	0.00%