PSBMX vs. FSSNX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) and Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX).

PSBMX is managed by Principal. It was launched on Dec 6, 2000. FSSNX is managed by Fidelity. It was launched on Sep 8, 2011.

Performance

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Performance Comparison

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

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	-1.27%	14.58%	8.53%	15.11%	-20.51%	19.21%	21.44%	26.97%	-11.42%	12.35%
FSSNX Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund	0.91%	12.94%	11.71%	17.11%	-20.28%	14.70%	19.99%	25.70%	-11.24%	14.54%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSBMX achieves a -1.27% return, which is significantly lower than FSSNX's 0.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PSBMX having a 9.43% annualized return and FSSNX not far ahead at 9.90%.

PSBMX

• 1D: 4.18%
• 1M: -6.05%
• YTD: -1.27%
• 6M: 2.56%
• 1Y: 23.60%
• 3Y*: 10.14%
• 5Y*: 3.16%
• 10Y*: 9.43%

FSSNX

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: -5.85%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 2.89%
• 1Y: 25.83%
• 3Y*: 13.19%
• 5Y*: 3.57%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

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

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSBMX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than FSSNX's 0.03% expense ratio.

PSBMX

Principal SmallCap Fund

FSSNX

Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund

Return for Risk

PSBMX vs. FSSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSBMX

PSBMX Risk / Return Rank: 48
PSBMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
PSBMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PSBMX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PSBMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PSBMX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

FSSNX

FSSNX Risk / Return Rank: 64
FSSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FSSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
FSSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FSSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FSSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PSBMX	FSSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.12	-0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	1.66	-0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.21	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	1.82	-0.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	6.80	-1.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSBMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is comparable to the FSSNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSBMX and FSSNX, 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

	PSBMX	FSSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.12	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.16	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.42	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.49	-0.12

Correlation

The correlation between PSBMX and FSSNX is 0.97, 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.

Dividends

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Dividend Comparison

PSBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.66%, more than FSSNX's 1.07% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	5.66%	5.58%	3.66%	2.91%	0.00%	7.82%	2.28%	5.83%	16.72%	8.65%	2.29%	3.80%
FSSNX Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund	1.07%	1.08%	1.04%	1.43%	1.26%	3.92%	0.94%	2.96%	4.94%	3.37%	2.27%	2.66%

Drawdowns

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSBMX drawdown since its inception was -60.15%, which is greater than FSSNX's maximum drawdown of -41.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSBMX and FSSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSBMX	FSSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.15%	-41.72%	-18.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.35%	-13.89%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.32%	-31.87%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.04%	-41.72%	-0.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.43%	-7.94%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.85%	-8.37%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	3.71%	-0.15%

Volatility

PSBMX vs. FSSNX - Volatility Comparison

Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) has a higher volatility of 8.19% compared to Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX) at 7.52%. This indicates that PSBMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSBMX	FSSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.19%	7.52%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.86%	14.52%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.06%	23.30%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.05%	22.61%	-0.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.33%	23.41%	-1.08%