PPVIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PPVIX (Principal SmallCap Value Fund II) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - PPVIX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Principal, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PPVIX returned 11.36%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PPVIX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PPVIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal SmallCap Value Fund II (PPVIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPVIX achieves a 13.39% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, PPVIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.36%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

PPVIX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.13%
• YTD: 13.39%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

PPVIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPVIX Principal SmallCap Value Fund II	13.39%	8.18%	16.09%	20.00%	-9.20%	32.00%	3.61%	23.19%	-14.74%	6.94%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PPVIX and SPY is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2004	0.83

The correlation between PPVIX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PPVIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPVIX

PPVIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
PPVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PPVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PPVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PPVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PPVIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal SmallCap Value Fund II (PPVIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	PPVIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.90	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	2.58	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	2.67	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	11.92	-0.49

PPVIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPVIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPVIX and SPY, 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

PPVIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPVIX drawdown since its inception was -64.79%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPVIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPVIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.79%	-55.19%	-9.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-8.88%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.89%	-18.76%	-4.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.89%	-24.50%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.87%	-33.72%	-12.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-3.17%	+2.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.67%	-9.04%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	1.98%	+0.70%

Volatility

PPVIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal SmallCap Value Fund II (PPVIX) is 4.12%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that PPVIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPVIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.87%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	9.85%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	12.50%	+4.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.08%	17.15%	+3.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.65%	17.95%	+4.70%

PPVIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPVIX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPVIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PPVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.83%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPVIX Principal SmallCap Value Fund II	7.83%	8.88%	20.81%	3.11%	11.81%	15.05%	0.76%	0.88%	26.50%	6.37%	5.98%	11.97%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPVIX and SPY in my portfolio?

PPVIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PPVIX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to PPVIX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPVIX dropped -64.79% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.84), 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.