HOLD vs USMC
Harbor Alpha Layering ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, HOLD or USMC?
USMC has been ahead.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | HOLD | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.80% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 20 | 58 |
| YTD Return | +7.39% | +13.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.59% | +14.91%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.5%Best | -10.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,773 | $12,083Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2025 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
HOLD 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
HOLD vs USMC Performance
Harbor Alpha Layering ETF (HOLD) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year HOLD returned +7.59% while USMC returned +14.91%. Year to date, HOLD is up 7.39% versus a gain of 13.98% for USMC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HOLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.0% 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 -9.5% for HOLD and -10.3% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HOLD charges 0.70% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $12 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HOLD currently yields 6.80% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in HOLD and 27 in USMC, totalling 93.1% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in HOLD and 27 in USMC, against full books of 20 and 58.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HOLD 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, HOLD or USMC?
HOLD has an expense ratio of 0.70% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HOLD or USMC?
Over the past year HOLD returned +7.59% vs +14.91% for USMC, so USMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HOLD annualized +14.57% vs +17.08% for USMC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HOLD or USMC?
HOLD has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.0% for USMC. Worst drawdown: HOLD -9.5% vs USMC -10.3%.
Should I hold both HOLD and USMC?
HOLD and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HOLD or USMC?
HOLD yields 6.80% while USMC yields 0.74%, so HOLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than HOLD?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.