USMC vs. YLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

USMC (Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF) and YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USMC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq US Mega Cap Select Leaders Index, while YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal. USMC is passively managed, while YLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USMC returned 15.68%/yr vs 4.93%/yr for YLD. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USMC charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for YLD.

Performance

USMC vs. YLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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 YLD's 3.21% return.

USMC

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

YLD

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 6M: 3.89%
• 1Y: 7.82%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: 5.84%

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

USMC vs. YLD - 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%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	3.21%	6.55%	9.19%	12.93%	-8.78%	9.17%	1.50%	13.58%	-3.30%	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between USMC and YLD is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2017	0.50

The correlation between USMC and YLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

USMC vs. YLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USMC	YLD
Technology	29.1%	-
Financial Services	19.6%	-
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	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

USMC vs. YLD — 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

YLD

YLD Risk / Return Rank: 63
YLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
YLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
YLD Omega Ratio Rank: 55
YLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
YLD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. YLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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	YLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.82	+0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.74	+0.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.34	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	4.09	-1.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	14.21	-4.83
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. YLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMC Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the YLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMC and YLD, 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	YLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.82	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	0.77	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.65	+0.19

Drawdowns

USMC vs. YLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMC drawdown since its inception was -29.97%, which is greater than YLD's maximum drawdown of -28.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMC and YLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMC	YLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.97%	-28.34%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.30%	-1.98%	-8.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.12%	-5.62%	-13.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.09%	-13.89%	-10.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.41%	-2.70%	-1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	0.57%	+2.12%

Volatility

USMC vs. YLD - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) has a higher volatility of 2.49% compared to Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) at 1.26%. This indicates that USMC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USMC	YLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	1.26%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.69%	3.49%	+5.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.81%	4.32%	+7.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	6.39%	+9.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.25%	8.21%	+10.04%

USMC vs. YLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMC has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than YLD's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

USMC vs. YLD - Dividend Comparison

USMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than YLD's 7.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	7.25%	7.33%	7.12%	6.46%	6.51%	3.92%	4.40%	4.81%	5.42%	6.28%	4.47%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USMC and YLD in my portfolio?

USMC and YLD have a correlation of 0.56, 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 YLD?

USMC has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to YLD (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMC dropped -29.97% vs YLD's -28.34%.

Which ETF is better, USMC or YLD?

On 5-year performance, USMC leads with 15.68% vs 4.93% for YLD. On fees, USMC is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMC or YLD?

Over the 5-year period, USMC has performed better with a 15.68% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMC or YLD?

USMC is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.

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

YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 0.74% for USMC.

What is the main difference between USMC and YLD?

USMC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while YLD is High Yield Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for USMC and 0.39% for YLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USMC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 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.