PSC vs. LCAP
PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and LCAP (Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq US Small Cap Select Leaders TR Index, while LCAP is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Principal. PSC is passively managed, while LCAP is actively managed. Over the past year, PSC returned 31.90% vs 23.05% for LCAP. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for LCAP.
Performance
PSC vs. LCAP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 18.31% return, which is significantly higher than LCAP's 12.05% return.
PSC
- 1D
- -0.58%
- 1M
- -1.08%
- 6M
- 13.74%
- YTD
- 18.31%
- 1Y
- 31.90%
- 3Y*
- 16.31%
- 5Y*
- 9.51%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.86%
LCAP
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- 6M
- 9.49%
- YTD
- 12.05%
- 1Y
- 23.05%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 22.68%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.37M | $1.20M | $1.62M | |
| $6.70M | $7.59M | $7.79M |
PSC vs. LCAP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF | 18.31% | 16.60% |
LCAP Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF | 12.05% | 17.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between PSC and LCAP is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2025 | 0.76 |
The correlation between PSC and LCAP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PSC vs. LCAP — Risk / Return Rank
PSC
LCAP
PSC vs. LCAP - 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 Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP). 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.
| PSC | LCAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.28 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 2.31 | +0.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.41 | 8.98 | +1.44 |
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Drawdowns
PSC vs. LCAP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, which is greater than LCAP's maximum drawdown of -11.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and LCAP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PSC | LCAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.69% | -11.78% | -34.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.95% | -9.32% | -0.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.49% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.78% | -1.52% | -1.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.17% | -1.65% | -6.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.84% | 2.40% | +0.44% |
Volatility
PSC vs. LCAP - Volatility Comparison
Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP) at 3.60%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LCAP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PSC | LCAP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.84% | 3.60% | +0.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.31% | 10.00% | +3.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.77% | 13.72% | +5.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.88% | 16.63% | +4.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.19% | 16.63% | +6.56% |
PSC vs. LCAP - Expense Ratio Comparison
PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than LCAP's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
PSC vs. LCAP - Dividend Comparison
PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, more than LCAP's 0.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCAP Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF | 0.10% | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.75% | 0.73% | 1.92% | 1.45% | 1.25% | 1.47% | 1.30% | 0.95% | 0.35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PSC and LCAP have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PSC has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to LCAP (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs LCAP's -11.78%.
On 1-year performance, PSC leads with 31.90% vs 23.05% for LCAP. On fees, LCAP is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, LCAP has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, PSC has performed better with a 31.90% return vs 23.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
LCAP is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for PSC.
PSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.10% for LCAP.
PSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while LCAP is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for PSC and 0.29% for LCAP.
PSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 1.57), 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.
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