PSC vs. PREF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active 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 PREF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. PSC is passively managed, while PREF is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSC returned 8.06%/yr vs 3.07%/yr for PREF. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PREF.

Performance

PSC vs. PREF - 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 Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 13.84% return, which is significantly higher than PREF's 1.65% return.

PSC

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: 3.79%
• YTD: 13.84%
• 6M: 13.56%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 18.36%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: —

PREF

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 6.65%
• 3Y*: 9.25%
• 5Y*: 3.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSC vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	13.84%	13.41%	12.38%	18.51%	-15.91%	32.56%	13.30%	18.99%	-11.35%	9.69%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	1.65%	7.64%	11.43%	7.36%	-11.80%	2.08%	7.52%	17.32%	-5.45%	2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between PSC and PREF is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2017	0.30

PSC vs. PREF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSC	PREF
Technology	20.3%	-
Industrials	17.7%	-
Financial Services	16.5%	100.0%
Healthcare	15.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	-
Energy	6.0%	-
Real Estate	4.6%	-
Basic Materials	4.2%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	-
Communication Services	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

PSC vs. PREF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSC

PSC Risk / Return Rank: 46
PSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PSC Omega Ratio Rank: 38
PSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
PSC Martin Ratio Rank: 55

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 64
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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. PREF - 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 Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). 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.

	PSC	PREF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.16	-0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	3.10	-0.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.45	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.32	+0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.55	12.09	-2.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSC vs. PREF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the PREF Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSC and PREF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSC	PREF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46	2.16	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.63	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.66	-0.16

Drawdowns

PSC vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, which is greater than PREF's maximum drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSC	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.69%	-22.99%	-23.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.95%	-2.88%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.49%	-4.39%	-19.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	-16.99%	-8.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-0.13%	-0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-3.66%	-4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	0.55%	+2.30%

Volatility

PSC vs. PREF - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) at 0.69%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PREF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSC	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	0.69%	+4.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	2.51%	+10.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.65%	3.09%	+15.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.99%	4.87%	+16.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	6.30%	+17.00%

PSC vs. PREF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than PREF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSC vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than PREF's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.16%	4.87%	4.65%	4.67%	4.63%	4.07%	4.35%	4.67%	5.49%	2.35%	0.00%
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	0.58%	0.67%	0.75%	0.73%	1.92%	1.45%	1.25%	1.47%	1.30%	0.95%	0.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSC and PREF in my portfolio?

PSC and PREF have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSC or PREF?

PSC has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to PREF (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs PREF's -22.99%.

Which ETF is better, PSC or PREF?

On 5-year performance, PSC leads with 8.06% vs 3.07% for PREF. On fees, PSC is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, PREF has been the lower-risk option at 0.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSC or PREF?

Over the 5-year period, PSC has performed better with a 8.06% return vs 3.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSC or PREF?

PSC is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PREF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSC or PREF?

PREF has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 0.58% for PSC.

What is the main difference between PSC and PREF?

PSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while PREF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for PSC and 0.55% for PREF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.46), 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.