PGZ vs SCHM
Principal Real Estate Income Fund vs Schwab US Mid Cap ETF
Which is better, PGZ or SCHM?
SCHM has been ahead.
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. SCHM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | PGZ | SCHM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.16% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $69M | $14.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.28% | 1.31% |
| Holdings | 110 | 495 |
| YTD Return | -4.14% | +12.80%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.95% | +16.12%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.97% | +16.61%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.32% | +6.70%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.8% | -42.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,841 | $13,830Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2013 | Jan 13, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.8 years).
PGZ vs SCHM 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 15.8 years both funds cover.
PGZ vs SCHM Performance
Principal Real Estate Income Fund (PGZ) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Schwab US Mid Cap ETF (SCHM) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year PGZ returned -4.95% while SCHM returned +16.12%. Year to date, PGZ is down 4.14% versus a gain of 12.80% for SCHM.
Over three years, PGZ compounded at +10.97% per year against +16.61% for SCHM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.32% and +6.70% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SCHM has the edge at +9.89% annualized vs -1.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 17.2% for SCHM. 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 -56.8% for PGZ and -42.4% for SCHM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGZ charges 2.16% per year while SCHM charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $216 vs $3 annually, a gap of $213 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGZ currently yields 12.28% against 1.31% for SCHM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.4% of SCHM's money is in holdings PGZ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PGZ, our book for it covers 59.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SCHM and PGZ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 245 days apart, PGZ as of Jan 31, 2026 and SCHM as of Oct 3, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in PGZ and 502 in SCHM, against full books of 110 and 495.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PGZ | Weight in SCHM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOCHealthpeak Properties Inc | 1.49% | 0.28% | 1.21% |
| GLPIGaming And Leisure Properties Inc | 1.46% | 0.23% | 1.23% |
| REXRRexford Industrial Realty, Inc. | 0.94% | 0.17% | 0.77% |
| SUISun Communities Inc. | 0.56% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| EGPEastgroup Properties Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.48% | 0.22% | 0.26% |
| AHRAmerican Healthcare REIT Inc | 0.31% | 0.23% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGZ and SCHM 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, PGZ or SCHM?
PGZ has an expense ratio of 2.16% while SCHM charges 0.03%. SCHM is the cheaper option, by $213 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGZ or SCHM?
Over the past year PGZ returned -4.95% vs +16.12% for SCHM, so SCHM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), PGZ annualized -1.68% vs +9.89% for SCHM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGZ or SCHM?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 17.2% for SCHM. Worst drawdown: PGZ -56.8% vs SCHM -42.4%.
Should I hold both PGZ and SCHM?
PGZ and SCHM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 PGZ and SCHM?
At least 1.4% of SCHM's money is in holdings PGZ also owns. Our book for PGZ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in PGZ and 502 in SCHM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PGZ or SCHM?
PGZ yields 12.28% while SCHM yields 1.31%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHM better than PGZ?
SCHM has a lower expense ratio. SCHM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.