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PSC vs. IJR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

PSC vs. IJR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - PSC tracks the Nasdaq US Small Cap Select Leaders TR Index while IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSC returned 8.77%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for IJR. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.

Performance

PSC vs. IJR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 17.73% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 19.34% return.

PSC

1D
-0.58%
1M
5.16%
YTD
17.73%
6M
15.20%
1Y
31.66%
3Y*
19.46%
5Y*
8.77%
10Y*
—

IJR

1D
-0.34%
1M
4.22%
YTD
19.34%
6M
16.86%
1Y
34.47%
3Y*
16.15%
5Y*
6.29%
10Y*
11.30%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PSC vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
PSC
Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF		17.73%13.41%12.38%18.51%-15.91%32.56%13.30%18.99%-11.35%15.93%
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.34%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PSC and IJR is 0.92, 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

0.92

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.95

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016

0.87

The correlation between PSC and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSC vs. IJR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
PSC
IJR

Technology

20.3%
15.9%

Financial Services

17.2%
16.0%

Industrials

16.9%
16.0%

Healthcare

15.8%
11.0%

Consumer Cyclical

8.2%
12.5%

Energy

5.6%
6.8%

Real Estate

4.5%
7.5%

Basic Materials

4.2%
4.7%

Utilities

2.7%
1.9%

Communication Services

2.3%
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

2.2%
3.2%

Technology

PSC
20.3%
IJR
15.9%

Financial Services

PSC
17.2%
IJR
16.0%

Industrials

PSC
16.9%
IJR
16.0%

Healthcare

PSC
15.8%
IJR
11.0%

Consumer Cyclical

PSC
8.2%
IJR
12.5%

Energy

PSC
5.6%
IJR
6.8%

Real Estate

PSC
4.5%
IJR
7.5%

Basic Materials

PSC
4.2%
IJR
4.7%

Utilities

PSC
2.7%
IJR
1.9%

Communication Services

PSC
2.3%
IJR
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

PSC
2.2%
IJR
3.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with PSC:
PSC vs. VBKPSC vs. VBPSC vs. QQQPSC vs. VIOVPSC vs. STLGPSC vs. VOOPSC vs. VSTCX
Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR

Return for Risk

PSC vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PSC
PSC Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
PSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
PSC Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
PSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
PSC Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

PSC vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.

PSCIJRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.68
1.96

-0.28

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.40
2.84

-0.43

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.34

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.20

3.99

-0.79

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.15

13.39

-2.23

PSC vs. IJR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the IJR Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSC and IJR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

PSC vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, smaller than the maximum IJR drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and IJR.

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Drawdown Indicators

PSCIJRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.69%

-58.15%

+11.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.95%

-8.68%

-1.27%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-23.49%

-28.02%

+4.53%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.86%

-28.02%

+2.16%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-44.36%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.58%

-0.43%

-0.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.23%

-9.26%

+1.03%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.85%

2.58%

+0.27%

Volatility

PSC vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 5.38% compared to iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) at 4.96%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

PSCIJRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.38%

4.96%

+0.42%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.32%

12.06%

+1.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.96%

17.73%

+1.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.02%

21.40%

-0.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.28%

22.90%

+0.38%

PSC vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSC vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison

PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than IJR's 1.15% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.15%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%
PSC
Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF		0.57%0.67%0.75%0.73%1.92%1.45%1.25%1.47%1.30%0.95%0.35%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.92, PSC and IJR 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.

PSC has higher volatility (5.38%) compared to IJR (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs IJR's -58.15%.

On 5-year performance, PSC leads with 8.77% vs 6.29% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 4.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, PSC has performed better with a 8.77% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for PSC.

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.57% for PSC.

PSC tracks Nasdaq US Small Cap Select Leaders TR Index, while IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index. They also come from different issuers: Principal and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for PSC and 0.06% for IJR.

IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.68), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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