MDST vs PGZ
Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF vs Principal Real Estate Income Fund
Which is better, MDST or PGZ?
MDST has been ahead.
MDST has a lower expense ratio. MDST 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 | MDST | PGZ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80%Best | 2.16% |
| AUM | $287M | $69M |
| Dividend Yield | 9.86% | 11.65% |
| Holdings | 110 | 110 |
| YTD Return | +16.82%Best | -3.26% |
| 1Y Return | +22.51%Best | -4.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.32% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +0.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -19.4% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $14,791Best | $11,378 |
| Fund Family | Westwood Funds | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2024 | Jun 26, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (2.5 years).
MDST vs PGZ 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
MDST vs PGZ Performance
Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) is an ETF from Westwood Funds and Principal Real Estate Income Fund (PGZ) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year MDST returned +22.51% while PGZ returned -4.17%. Year to date, MDST is up 16.82% versus a loss of 3.26% for PGZ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 12.0% for MDST. 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 -14.2% for MDST and -19.4% for PGZ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDST charges 0.80% per year while PGZ charges 2.16%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $216 annually, a gap of $136 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDST currently yields 9.86% against 11.65% for PGZ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in MDST and 61 in PGZ, totalling 97.2% and 59.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 227 days apart, MDST as of Sep 15, 2026 and PGZ as of Jan 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MDST and 61 in PGZ, against full books of 110 and 110.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDST and PGZ 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, MDST or PGZ?
MDST has an expense ratio of 0.80% while PGZ charges 2.16%. MDST is the cheaper option, by $136 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDST or PGZ?
Over the past year MDST returned +22.51% vs -4.17% for PGZ, so MDST leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDST or PGZ?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 12.0% for MDST. Worst drawdown: MDST -14.2% vs PGZ -19.4%.
Should I hold both MDST and PGZ?
MDST and PGZ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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, MDST or PGZ?
MDST yields 9.86% while PGZ yields 11.65%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PGZ better than MDST?
MDST has a lower expense ratio. MDST 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.