BELT vs USMC
iShares US Select Equity Active ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, BELT or USMC?
Each has led over a different period.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. BELT led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BELT | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 20 | 58 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1% | -19.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,054 | $14,202Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.5% | 55.3%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2024 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 63 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BELT has data through Aug 12, 2026 and USMC through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2024 to Aug 12, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BELT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 12.1% for USMC. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.1% for BELT and -19.1% for USMC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BELT charges 0.75% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $12 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BELT currently yields 0.02% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
31.4% of BELT's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 22.0% of USMC's money is in holdings BELT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
5 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 27 in USMC, against full books of 20 and 58.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 22 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for BELT (78.0% of the fund), and 12 for BELT that do not appear in USMC (59.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
31.4% of BELT is already inside USMC.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BELT or USMC?
BELT has an expense ratio of 0.75% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BELT or USMC?
BELT has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 12.1% for USMC. Worst drawdown: BELT -23.1% vs USMC -19.1%.
Should I hold both BELT and USMC?
BELT and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BELT and USMC?
31.4% of BELT's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 22.0% of USMC's is in holdings BELT also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 27 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, BELT or USMC?
BELT yields 0.02% while USMC yields 0.74%, so USMC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than BELT?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. BELT led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.