SACAX vs. PFUMX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) and PFUMX (Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal, while PFUMX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Principal. Over the past 5 years, SACAX returned 11.20%/yr vs 4.59%/yr for PFUMX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SACAX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for PFUMX.

Performance

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) and Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SACAX achieves a 11.27% return, which is significantly higher than PFUMX's 2.64% return.

SACAX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 11.04%
• 1Y: 24.93%
• 3Y*: 20.40%
• 5Y*: 11.20%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

PFUMX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 1.02%
• YTD: 2.64%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 12.33%
• 3Y*: 10.27%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: —

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

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	11.27%	16.56%	24.20%	21.42%	-19.06%	19.34%	15.11%	26.87%	-9.13%	21.68%
PFUMX Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund	2.64%	16.05%	7.41%	11.21%	-9.30%	-2.99%	7.84%	14.75%	-1.61%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SACAX and PFUMX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.38

The correlation between SACAX and PFUMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.57 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SACAX vs. PFUMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SACAX

SACAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
SACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

PFUMX

PFUMX Risk / Return Rank: 79
PFUMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PFUMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
PFUMX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PFUMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
PFUMX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) and Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX). 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.

	SACAX	PFUMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	3.30	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	4.84	-2.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.74	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.81	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.27	9.88	+2.39

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SACAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is lower than the PFUMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SACAX and PFUMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SACAX drawdown since its inception was -54.31%, which is greater than PFUMX's maximum drawdown of -21.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SACAX and PFUMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SACAX	PFUMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.31%	-21.27%	-33.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-4.45%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.88%	-6.79%	-9.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.96%	-20.57%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-0.78%	+0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-3.28%	-6.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.26%	+0.75%

Volatility

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Volatility Comparison

Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX) at 0.92%. This indicates that SACAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFUMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SACAX	PFUMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	0.92%	+3.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	3.17%	+6.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	3.79%	+8.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.73%	5.16%	+10.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.09%	4.71%	+11.38%

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SACAX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than PFUMX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

SACAX vs. PFUMX - Dividend Comparison

SACAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.78%, more than PFUMX's 5.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFUMX Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund	5.52%	5.89%	7.26%	6.43%	7.99%	2.98%	4.29%	5.43%	3.84%	7.86%	0.00%	0.00%
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	10.78%	11.99%	13.37%	1.16%	9.30%	7.53%	4.02%	4.47%	20.79%	6.82%	3.68%	14.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SACAX and PFUMX in my portfolio?

SACAX and PFUMX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SACAX or PFUMX?

SACAX has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to PFUMX (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SACAX dropped -54.31% vs PFUMX's -21.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFUMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.30 vs 2.02), 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.