PSC vs. VSTCX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, PSC returned 8.33%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for VSTCX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for VSTCX.

Performance

PSC vs. VSTCX - 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 Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly lower than VSTCX's 17.54% return.

PSC

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 15.55%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 18.74%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: —

VSTCX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 17.54%
• 6M: 19.53%
• 1Y: 42.96%
• 3Y*: 21.90%
• 5Y*: 11.62%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

PSC vs. VSTCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	14.91%	13.41%	12.38%	18.51%	-15.91%	32.56%	13.30%	18.99%	-11.35%	15.93%
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	17.54%	15.20%	15.40%	21.34%	-13.00%	33.53%	8.38%	22.18%	-11.87%	9.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PSC and VSTCX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016	0.87

The correlation between PSC and VSTCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSC vs. VSTCX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSC	VSTCX
Technology	20.3%	14.9%
Industrials	17.7%	16.1%
Financial Services	16.5%	18.3%
Healthcare	15.3%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	11.1%
Energy	6.0%	6.2%
Real Estate	4.6%	6.5%
Basic Materials	4.2%	5.2%
Utilities	2.9%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	3.0%
Communication Services	2.2%	2.4%

Return for Risk

PSC vs. VSTCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSC

PSC Risk / Return Rank: 51
PSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PSC Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
PSC Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VSTCX

VSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. VSTCX - 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 Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX). 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	VSTCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.47	-0.87
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.43	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.42	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	5.25	-2.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.67	18.52	-7.85
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. VSTCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is lower than the VSTCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSC and VSTCX, 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	VSTCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.47	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.53	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.38	+0.12

Drawdowns

PSC vs. VSTCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, smaller than the maximum VSTCX drawdown of -62.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and VSTCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSC	VSTCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.69%	-62.50%	+15.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.95%	-8.08%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.49%	-27.47%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	-27.47%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.32%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-10.65%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	2.29%	+0.56%

Volatility

PSC vs. VSTCX - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) at 4.48%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSC	VSTCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	4.48%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.79%	11.97%	+0.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.62%	17.60%	+1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.98%	21.99%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	23.47%	-0.17%

PSC vs. VSTCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTCX's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSC vs. VSTCX - Dividend Comparison

PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than VSTCX's 6.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	6.42%	7.55%	9.66%	2.50%	7.44%	19.92%	1.24%	4.14%	11.74%	5.76%	1.35%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSC and VSTCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PSC and VSTCX 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, PSC or VSTCX?

PSC has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to VSTCX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs VSTCX's -62.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.60), 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.