SPSM vs. PSSMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPSM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) and PSSMX (Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SPSM returned 10.77%/yr vs 10.83%/yr for PSSMX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPSM charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for PSSMX.

Performance

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPSM having a 15.28% return and PSSMX slightly higher at 15.97%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPSM having a 10.77% annualized return and PSSMX not far ahead at 10.83%.

SPSM

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 15.28%
• 6M: 14.19%
• 1Y: 31.50%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

PSSMX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 15.97%
• 6M: 14.78%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

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

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	15.28%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	15.44%
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	15.97%	5.34%	16.60%	15.18%	-16.69%	25.39%	10.65%	21.99%	-9.42%	12.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SPSM and PSSMX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2013	0.96

The correlation between SPSM and PSSMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPSM vs. PSSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 58
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

PSSMX

PSSMX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PSSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PSSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PSSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PSSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PSSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX). 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.

	SPSM	PSSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.95	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.84	-0.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	3.89	-0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.14	13.00	-0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSM Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the PSSMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSM and PSSMX, 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

	SPSM	PSSMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	1.95	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.31	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.47	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.41	+0.04

Drawdowns

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSM drawdown since its inception was -42.89%, smaller than the maximum PSSMX drawdown of -58.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSM and PSSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSM	PSSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.89%	-58.43%	+15.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.72%	-8.76%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.94%	-24.30%	-3.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.94%	-27.01%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.89%	-44.85%	+1.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-0.07%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-9.52%	+1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	2.62%	-0.02%

Volatility

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX) have volatilities of 4.44% and 4.47%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPSM	PSSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	4.47%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	11.69%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.47%	17.46%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.43%	21.76%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.99%	22.92%	+0.07%

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSM has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PSSMX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPSM vs. PSSMX - Dividend Comparison

SPSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than PSSMX's 8.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	8.61%	9.98%	15.91%	3.75%	10.45%	8.23%	1.67%	6.56%	13.08%	6.03%	6.15%	8.07%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.43%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSM and PSSMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SPSM and PSSMX 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, SPSM or PSSMX?

PSSMX has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to SPSM (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSM dropped -42.89% vs PSSMX's -58.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.82), 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.