PGZ vs SQEW
Principal Real Estate Income Fund vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, PGZ or SQEW?
SQEW has been ahead.
SQEW has a lower expense ratio. SQEW 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 | PGZ | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.16% | 0.84%Best |
| AUM | $69M | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 12.28% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 110 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.3% | -26.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.5 years | $14,198 | $15,910Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2013 | May 11, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 355 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PGZ has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2020 to Oct 24, 2025 (5.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 16.3% for SQEW. 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 -35.3% for PGZ and -26.1% for SQEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGZ charges 2.16% per year while SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $216 vs $84 annually, a gap of $132 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGZ currently yields 12.28% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGZ and SQEW 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 SQEW?
PGZ has an expense ratio of 2.16% while SQEW charges 0.84%. SQEW is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PGZ or SQEW?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 16.3% for SQEW. Worst drawdown: PGZ -35.3% vs SQEW -26.1%.
Should I hold both PGZ and SQEW?
PGZ and SQEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, PGZ or SQEW?
PGZ yields 12.28% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than PGZ?
SQEW has a lower expense ratio. SQEW 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.