PSBMX vs. AZBIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PSBMX (Principal SmallCap Fund) and AZBIX (Virtus Small-Cap Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PSBMX returned 10.16%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for AZBIX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PSBMX charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for AZBIX.

Performance

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) and Virtus Small-Cap Fund (AZBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSBMX achieves a 14.25% return, which is significantly lower than AZBIX's 19.77% return. Over the past 10 years, PSBMX has underperformed AZBIX with an annualized return of 10.16%, while AZBIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.61% annualized return.

PSBMX

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -1.13%
• 6M: 8.75%
• YTD: 14.25%
• 1Y: 29.47%
• 3Y*: 12.11%
• 5Y*: 5.93%
• 10Y*: 10.16%
• ALL TIME*: 8.76%

AZBIX

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: -0.94%
• 6M: 14.75%
• YTD: 19.77%
• 1Y: 33.35%
• 3Y*: 16.35%
• 5Y*: 8.58%
• 10Y*: 11.61%
• ALL TIME*: 10.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AZBIX Virtus Small-Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	14.25%	14.58%	8.53%	15.11%	-20.51%	19.21%	21.44%	26.97%	-11.42%	12.35%
AZBIX Virtus Small-Cap Fund	19.77%	8.49%	19.06%	14.09%	-18.04%	18.92%	16.98%	24.13%	-9.25%	21.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PSBMX and AZBIX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2013	0.94

The correlation between PSBMX and AZBIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSBMX vs. AZBIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSBMX

PSBMX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PSBMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PSBMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
PSBMX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PSBMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PSBMX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

AZBIX

AZBIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
AZBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
AZBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
AZBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
AZBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AZBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) and Virtus Small-Cap Fund (AZBIX). 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.

	PSBMX	AZBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.76	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.54	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.30	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	3.28	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.48	11.02	-2.54

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSBMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the AZBIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSBMX and AZBIX, 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

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSBMX drawdown since its inception was -60.15%, which is greater than AZBIX's maximum drawdown of -40.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSBMX and AZBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSBMX	AZBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.15%	-40.80%	-19.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.10%	-9.33%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.13%	-29.01%	+3.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.32%	-29.85%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.04%	-40.80%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.41%	-2.95%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-7.64%	-3.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	2.78%	+0.41%

Volatility

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Virtus Small-Cap Fund (AZBIX) at 3.97%. This indicates that PSBMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AZBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSBMX	AZBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.97%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.17%	13.11%	+1.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.24%	17.43%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.01%	20.50%	+1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.37%	21.34%	+1.03%

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSBMX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than AZBIX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSBMX vs. AZBIX - Dividend Comparison

PSBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.89%, more than AZBIX's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AZBIX Virtus Small-Cap Fund	4.09%	4.90%	10.82%	2.31%	4.78%	13.82%	0.45%	0.38%	9.62%	13.80%	0.03%	3.59%
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	4.89%	5.58%	3.66%	2.91%	0.00%	7.82%	2.28%	5.83%	16.72%	8.65%	2.29%	3.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSBMX and AZBIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, PSBMX and AZBIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PSBMX or AZBIX?

PSBMX has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to AZBIX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSBMX dropped -60.15% vs AZBIX's -40.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AZBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.48), 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.