PSET vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal Quality ETF (PSET) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

PSET and VUG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. PSET is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ US Price Setters. It was launched on Mar 21, 2016. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000. Both PSET and VUG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

PSET vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

PSET vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSET Principal Quality ETF	-8.82%	7.27%	17.65%	24.07%	-16.52%	29.59%	16.20%	34.85%	-2.29%	24.63%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-10.37%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSET achieves a -8.82% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, PSET has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 11.88%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.03% annualized return.

PSET

• 1D: 2.51%
• 1M: -6.80%
• YTD: -8.82%
• 6M: -8.29%
• 1Y: 6.05%
• 3Y*: 10.61%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 11.88%

VUG

• 1D: 4.00%
• 1M: -5.12%
• YTD: -10.37%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 18.30%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: 16.03%

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

PSET vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSET has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

PSET

Principal Quality ETF

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

Return for Risk

PSET vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSET

PSET Risk / Return Rank: 23
PSET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PSET Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PSET Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PSET Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PSET Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 50
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Quality ETF (PSET) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	0.81	-0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	1.31	-0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.18	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.11	-0.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.77	3.96	-2.19
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSET Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSET and VUG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSET	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31	0.81	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.52	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.75	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.57	+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between PSET and VUG is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

PSET vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

PSET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSET Principal Quality ETF	0.65%	0.59%	0.69%	0.85%	1.47%	0.89%	1.09%	1.52%	1.33%	1.02%	1.26%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.46%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Drawdowns

PSET vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSET drawdown since its inception was -34.74%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSET and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSET	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.74%	-50.68%	+15.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.94%	-16.53%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.61%	-35.61%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.74%	-35.61%	+0.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.75%	-13.20%	+2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.59%	-7.13%	+2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	4.66%	-0.97%

Volatility

PSET vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Quality ETF (PSET) is 5.07%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.00%. This indicates that PSET experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSET	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	7.00%	-1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.89%	12.65%	-2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.30%	22.68%	-3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.49%	22.23%	-4.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	21.38%	-3.36%