SCHM vs. PMAQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCHM (Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF) and PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, SCHM returned 8.07%/yr vs 5.27%/yr for PMAQX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PMAQX.

Performance

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHM achieves a 19.05% return, which is significantly higher than PMAQX's -7.36% return.

SCHM

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 19.05%
• 6M: 19.54%
• 1Y: 32.45%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

PMAQX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: -7.36%
• 6M: -7.95%
• 1Y: -8.59%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	19.05%	10.17%	11.98%	16.69%	-17.07%	19.36%	15.26%	27.48%	-8.77%	19.00%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-7.36%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	25.29%	18.38%	49.59%	-6.79%	24.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHM and PMAQX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.88

The correlation between SCHM and PMAQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCHM vs. PMAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHM

SCHM Risk / Return Rank: 65
SCHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SCHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SCHM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SCHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SCHM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

PMAQX

PMAQX Risk / Return Rank: 1
PMAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
PMAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) and Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX). 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.

	SCHM	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	-0.58	+2.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	-0.74	+3.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	0.92	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	-0.43	+3.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.11	-0.95	+15.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHM Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the PMAQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHM and PMAQX, 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

	SCHM	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	-0.58	+2.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.28	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.62	-0.03

Drawdowns

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHM drawdown since its inception was -42.43%, roughly equal to the maximum PMAQX drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHM and PMAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHM	PMAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.43%	-40.56%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-19.25%	+9.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-19.25%	-4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.46%	-31.10%	+4.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-13.39%	+13.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.66%	-6.81%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	8.64%	-6.33%

Volatility

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM) has a higher volatility of 4.72% compared to Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) at 4.06%. This indicates that SCHM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PMAQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHM	PMAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	4.06%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.74%	11.15%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.62%	14.22%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.56%	18.63%	+0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	19.48%	+0.98%

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than PMAQX's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHM vs. PMAQX - Dividend Comparison

SCHM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than PMAQX's 6.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.26%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHM Schwab US Mid-Cap ETF	1.22%	1.46%	1.43%	1.50%	1.67%	1.13%	1.31%	1.48%	1.56%	1.27%	1.51%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHM and PMAQX in my portfolio?

SCHM and PMAQX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHM or PMAQX?

SCHM has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to PMAQX (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHM dropped -42.43% vs PMAQX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.58), 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.