VSMGX vs. PMAQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSMGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund) and PMAQX (Principal MidCap R6) are both mutual funds - VSMGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while PMAQX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal Funds. Over the past 5 years, VSMGX returned 7.92%/yr vs 5.27%/yr for PMAQX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSMGX charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PMAQX.

Performance

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) 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, VSMGX achieves a 8.24% return, which is significantly higher than PMAQX's -7.36% return.

VSMGX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 8.24%
• 6M: 8.79%
• 1Y: 19.95%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 7.92%
• 10Y*: 8.90%

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)

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund	8.24%	16.26%	15.03%	15.70%	-16.01%	10.08%	13.59%	19.37%	-4.91%	13.15%
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 VSMGX and PMAQX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.84

The correlation between VSMGX and PMAQX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VSMGX vs. PMAQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSMGX

VSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) 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.

	VSMGX	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	-0.58	+3.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	-0.74	+4.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	0.92	+0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	-0.43	+3.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	-0.95	+14.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSMGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the PMAQX Sharpe Ratio of -0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSMGX 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

	VSMGX	PMAQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	-0.58	+3.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.28	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.62	+0.08

Drawdowns

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSMGX drawdown since its inception was -41.13%, roughly equal to the maximum PMAQX drawdown of -40.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMGX and PMAQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSMGX	PMAQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.13%	-40.56%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.64%	-19.25%	+12.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.62%	-19.25%	+9.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.29%	-31.10%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-13.39%	+13.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-6.81%	+1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	8.64%	-7.13%

Volatility

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) is 2.65%, while Principal MidCap R6 (PMAQX) has a volatility of 4.06%. This indicates that VSMGX 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

	VSMGX	PMAQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	4.06%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.65%	11.15%	-4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.19%	14.22%	-6.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.18%	18.63%	-8.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.36%	19.48%	-9.12%

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSMGX has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PMAQX's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSMGX vs. PMAQX - Dividend Comparison

VSMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.85%, 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%
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund	4.85%	5.25%	11.49%	4.01%	2.66%	3.86%	3.46%	2.52%	4.11%	1.09%	2.26%	3.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSMGX and PMAQX in my portfolio?

VSMGX and PMAQX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSMGX or PMAQX?

PMAQX has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to VSMGX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSMGX dropped -41.13% vs PMAQX's -40.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSMGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.