PSC vs. YLD
PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and YLD (Principal Active High Yield 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 YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. PSC is passively managed, while YLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSC returned 8.77%/yr vs 4.78%/yr for YLD. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for YLD.
Performance
PSC vs. YLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 17.73% return, which is significantly higher than YLD's 2.78% return.
PSC
- 1D
- -0.58%
- 1M
- 5.16%
- YTD
- 17.73%
- 6M
- 15.20%
- 1Y
- 31.66%
- 3Y*
- 19.46%
- 5Y*
- 8.77%
- 10Y*
- —
YLD
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- 2.78%
- 6M
- 2.86%
- 1Y
- 6.38%
- 3Y*
- 8.90%
- 5Y*
- 4.78%
- 10Y*
- 5.71%
PSC vs. YLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 2.78% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -3.30% | 9.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between PSC and YLD is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016 | 0.49 |
The correlation between PSC and YLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.61 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PSC vs. YLD — Risk / Return Rank
PSC
YLD
PSC vs. YLD - 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 Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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 | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.27 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.20 | 3.24 | -0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.15 | 11.10 | +0.06 |
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Drawdowns
PSC vs. YLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, which is greater than YLD's maximum drawdown of -28.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and YLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PSC | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.69% | -28.34% | -18.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.95% | -1.98% | -7.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.49% | -5.62% | -17.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.86% | -13.89% | -11.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -28.34% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.58% | -0.55% | -0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.23% | -2.69% | -5.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.85% | 0.58% | +2.27% |
Volatility
PSC vs. YLD - Volatility Comparison
Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 5.38% compared to Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) at 1.16%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PSC | YLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.38% | 1.16% | +4.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.32% | 3.49% | +9.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.96% | 4.40% | +14.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.02% | 6.40% | +14.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.28% | 8.20% | +15.08% |
PSC vs. YLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than YLD's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
PSC vs. YLD - Dividend Comparison
PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than YLD's 7.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 7.28% | 7.33% | 7.12% | 6.46% | 6.51% | 3.92% | 4.40% | 4.81% | 5.42% | 6.28% | 4.47% | 2.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PSC and YLD have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PSC has higher volatility (5.38%) compared to YLD (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs YLD's -28.34%.
On 5-year performance, PSC leads with 8.77% vs 4.78% for YLD. On fees, PSC is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. 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 4.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PSC is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.
YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.28%, compared with 0.57% for PSC.
PSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while YLD is High Yield Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for PSC and 0.39% for YLD.
PSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 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.
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