USMC vs. PREF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

USMC (Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF) and PREF (Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USMC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq US Mega Cap Select Leaders Index, while PREF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. USMC is passively managed, while PREF is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USMC returned 15.68%/yr vs 3.15%/yr for PREF. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USMC charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PREF.

Performance

USMC vs. PREF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USMC achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than PREF's 1.79% return.

USMC

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 5.62%
• YTD: 9.11%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 24.67%
• 3Y*: 22.12%
• 5Y*: 15.68%
• 10Y*: —

PREF

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 6M: 2.34%
• 1Y: 6.96%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 3.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

USMC vs. PREF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	9.11%	14.99%	29.82%	31.57%	-17.17%	26.30%	16.05%	27.37%	-2.30%	5.48%
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	1.79%	7.64%	11.43%	7.36%	-11.80%	2.08%	7.52%	17.32%	-5.45%	0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between USMC and PREF is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2017	0.34

USMC vs. PREF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USMC	PREF
Technology	29.1%	-
Financial Services	19.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	14.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	-
Healthcare	8.1%	-
Industrials	5.6%	-
Energy	4.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

USMC vs. PREF — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMC

USMC Risk / Return Rank: 57
USMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
USMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
USMC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
USMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
USMC Martin Ratio Rank: 54

PREF

PREF Risk / Return Rank: 67
PREF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PREF Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
PREF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PREF Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PREF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

USMC vs. PREF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) and Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF). 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.

	USMC	PREF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.27	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.24	-0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.44	+0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	12.78	-3.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USMC vs. PREF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMC Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the PREF Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMC and PREF, 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

	USMC	PREF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.27	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	0.65	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.66	+0.18

Drawdowns

USMC vs. PREF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMC drawdown since its inception was -29.97%, which is greater than PREF's maximum drawdown of -22.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMC and PREF.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMC	PREF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.97%	-22.99%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.30%	-2.88%	-7.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.12%	-4.39%	-14.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.09%	-16.99%	-7.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-3.66%	-0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	0.55%	+2.14%

Volatility

USMC vs. PREF - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) has a higher volatility of 2.49% compared to Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF (PREF) at 0.68%. This indicates that USMC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PREF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USMC	PREF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	0.68%	+1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.69%	2.52%	+6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.81%	3.09%	+8.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	4.87%	+11.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.25%	6.30%	+11.95%

USMC vs. PREF - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMC has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than PREF's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

USMC vs. PREF - Dividend Comparison

USMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than PREF's 5.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PREF Principal Spectrum Preferred Secs Active ETF	5.15%	4.87%	4.65%	4.67%	4.63%	4.07%	4.35%	4.67%	5.49%	2.35%
USMC Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF	0.74%	0.79%	1.04%	1.35%	1.78%	1.53%	1.55%	2.01%	2.28%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USMC and PREF in my portfolio?

USMC and PREF have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USMC or PREF?

USMC has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to PREF (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMC dropped -29.97% vs PREF's -22.99%.

Which ETF is better, USMC or PREF?

On 5-year performance, USMC leads with 15.68% vs 3.15% for PREF. On fees, USMC is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, PREF has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMC or PREF?

Over the 5-year period, USMC has performed better with a 15.68% return vs 3.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMC or PREF?

USMC is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for PREF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USMC or PREF?

PREF has the higher dividend yield at 5.15%, compared with 0.74% for USMC.

What is the main difference between USMC and PREF?

USMC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while PREF is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for USMC and 0.55% for PREF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PREF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.10), 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.