SDVY vs. PMAQX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) are both funds - SDVY is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while PMAQX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal Funds. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 10.47%/yr vs 4.88%/yr for PMAQX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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, SDVY achieves a 12.36% return, which is significantly higher than PMAQX's -4.15% return.

SDVY

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 7.51%
• YTD: 12.36%
• 1Y: 19.96%
• 3Y*: 15.85%
• 5Y*: 10.47%
• 10Y*: —

PMAQX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 2.26%
• 6M: -7.18%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 1Y: -7.82%
• 3Y*: 9.54%
• 5Y*: 4.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	12.36%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	-4.15%	1.71%	23.74%	26.02%	-23.09%	25.29%	18.38%	49.59%	-6.79%	2.69%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and PMAQX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.73

The correlation between SDVY and PMAQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. PMAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 51
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 45
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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.

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.

	SDVY	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	-0.59	+1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	-0.75	+2.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	0.92	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	-0.45	+2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.42	-0.91	+8.34

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the PMAQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY 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.

Drawdowns

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, which is greater than PMAQX's maximum drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and PMAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	PMAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-40.56%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-19.25%	+9.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-19.25%	-6.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-31.10%	+5.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	-10.38%	+9.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.63%	-6.87%	-0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	9.47%	-6.77%

Volatility

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is 3.57%, while Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) has a volatility of 4.07%. This indicates that SDVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PMAQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	PMAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	4.07%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.75%	11.72%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.25%	14.72%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.90%	18.69%	+2.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.71%	19.44%	+5.27%

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SDVY and PMAQX have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

SDVY vs. PMAQX - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than PMAQX's 6.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PMAQX Principal MidCap R6	6.05%	5.80%	6.46%	2.58%	3.18%	7.96%	1.08%	9.14%	12.39%	3.39%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.96%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVY and PMAQX in my portfolio?

SDVY and PMAQX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVY or PMAQX?

PMAQX has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to SDVY (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs PMAQX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.59), 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.