DUSA vs USMC
Davis Select US Equity ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, DUSA or USMC?
Each has led over a different period.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. DUSA led over 1Y, USMC over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%.
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 | DUSA | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 84 | 58 |
| YTD Return | +9.27% | +13.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.38%Best | +14.91% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.10% | +22.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.47% | +14.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.7% | -30.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,210 | $19,948Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.4% | 55.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Davis ETFs | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2017 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9 years).
DUSA vs USMC growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9 years both funds cover.
DUSA vs USMC Performance
Davis Select US Equity ETF (DUSA) is an ETF from Davis ETFs and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year DUSA returned +17.38% while USMC returned +14.91%. Year to date, DUSA is up 9.27% versus a gain of 13.98% for USMC.
Over three years, DUSA compounded at +22.10% per year against +22.22% for USMC; over five years the annualized figures are +11.47% and +14.81% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, USMC has the edge at +14.29% annualized vs +12.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DUSA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 15.3% 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 -36.7% for DUSA and -30.0% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DUSA charges 0.59% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $12 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DUSA currently yields 0.90% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
17.1% of DUSA's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 10.8% of USMC's money is in holdings DUSA also owns.
DUSA and USMC share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in DUSA and 27 in USMC, against full books of 84 and 58.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 24 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for DUSA (89.2% of the fund), and 23 for DUSA that do not appear in USMC (80.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DUSA and USMC you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DUSA or USMC?
DUSA has an expense ratio of 0.59% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DUSA or USMC?
Over the past year DUSA returned +17.38% vs +14.91% for USMC, so DUSA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), DUSA annualized +12.31% vs +14.29% for USMC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DUSA or USMC?
DUSA has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.3% for USMC. Worst drawdown: DUSA -36.7% vs USMC -30.0%.
Should I hold both DUSA and USMC?
DUSA and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 DUSA and USMC?
17.1% of DUSA's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 10.8% of USMC's is in holdings DUSA also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in DUSA and 27 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, DUSA or USMC?
DUSA yields 0.90% while USMC yields 0.74%, so DUSA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than DUSA?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. DUSA led over 1Y, USMC over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.