PSET vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSET (Principal Quality ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSET is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Price Setters, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSET returned 12.73%/yr vs 14.27%/yr for QUAL. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

PSET vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Quality ETF (PSET) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSET achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 8.80% return. Over the past 10 years, PSET has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 12.73%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 14.27% annualized return.

PSET

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: -0.49%
• 6M: -0.66%
• 1Y: 7.57%
• 3Y*: 12.93%
• 5Y*: 8.86%
• 10Y*: 12.73%

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

PSET vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSET Principal Quality ETF	-0.49%	7.27%	17.65%	24.07%	-16.52%	29.59%	16.20%	34.85%	-2.29%	24.63%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	-20.50%	26.94%	17.04%	33.89%	-5.70%	22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PSET and QUAL 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2016	0.73

The correlation between PSET and QUAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.93 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PSET vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSET	QUAL
Technology	37.9%	36.5%
Industrials	19.1%	8.2%
Financial Services	14.3%	11.5%
Healthcare	10.8%	9.0%
Communication Services	6.7%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	9.3%
Basic Materials	3.3%	1.7%
Energy	1.4%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	4.9%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

PSET vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSET

PSET Risk / Return Rank: 18
PSET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
PSET Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PSET Omega Ratio Rank: 18
PSET Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
PSET Martin Ratio Rank: 18

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

PSET vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Quality ETF (PSET) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	PSET	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	1.84	-1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	2.62	-1.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.32	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.59	2.41	-1.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.98	11.00	-9.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSET vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSET Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSET and QUAL, 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

	PSET	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60	1.84	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.69	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.79	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.80	-0.09

Drawdowns

PSET vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSET drawdown since its inception was -34.74%, roughly equal to the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSET and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSET	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.74%	-34.06%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.94%	-9.03%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.96%	-18.00%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.61%	-28.23%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.74%	-34.06%	-0.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.59%	-0.16%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.59%	-4.11%	-0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.98%	+1.84%

Volatility

PSET vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

Principal Quality ETF (PSET) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that PSET's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSET	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	2.51%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.67%	9.03%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	11.83%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	17.33%	+0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	18.10%	-0.04%

PSET vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PSET and QUAL have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PSET vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

PSET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than QUAL's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSET Principal Quality ETF	0.63%	0.59%	0.69%	0.85%	1.47%	0.89%	1.09%	1.52%	1.33%	1.02%	1.26%	0.00%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSET and QUAL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PSET and QUAL 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, PSET or QUAL?

PSET has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSET dropped -34.74% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, PSET or QUAL?

On 10-year performance, QUAL leads with 14.27% vs 12.73% for PSET. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSET or QUAL?

Over the 10-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 14.27% return vs 12.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSET or QUAL?

PSET and QUAL have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSET or QUAL?

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.63% for PSET.

What is the main difference between PSET and QUAL?

PSET is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. PSET tracks NASDAQ US Price Setters, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: Principal and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 0.60), 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.