PSET vs SCHX
Principal Quality ETF vs Schwab US Large-Cap ETF
Which is better, PSET or SCHX?
SCHX has been ahead.
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%.
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 | PSET | SCHX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $75.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 150 | 752 |
| YTD Return | +5.26% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.00% | +16.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.51% | +22.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.64% | +12.56%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,134 | $18,068Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.2%Best | 36.9% |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2016 | Nov 3, 2009 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.6 years).
PSET vs SCHX 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
PSET vs SCHX Performance
Principal Quality ETF (PSET) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Schwab US Large-Cap ETF (SCHX) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year PSET returned +6.00% while SCHX returned +16.62%. Year to date, PSET is up 5.26% versus a gain of 13.08% for SCHX.
Over three years, PSET compounded at +13.51% per year against +22.27% for SCHX; over five years the annualized figures are +8.64% and +12.56% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SCHX has the edge at +14.12% annualized vs +12.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 15.0% for PSET. 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 -34.8% for PSET and -34.3% for SCHX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSET charges 0.15% per year while SCHX charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSET currently yields 0.69% against 1.04% for SCHX.
Holdings Overlap
95.8% of PSET's money is in holdings SCHX also owns. 42.5% of SCHX's money is in holdings PSET also owns.
Most of PSET is already inside SCHX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
67 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 752 in SCHX, against full books of 150 and 752.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 662 positions for SCHX that do not appear in our book for PSET (56.7% of the fund), and 4 for PSET that do not appear in SCHX (2.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSET | Weight in SCHX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.13% | 8.02% | 0.89% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.11% | 6.90% | 0.79% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.38% | 5.44% | 1.06% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.27% | 3.50% | 1.23% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc.- Cl C | 2.88% | 2.29% | 0.59% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc-cl A | 1.28% | 2.86% | 1.58% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.19% | 2.40% | 1.21% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc. | 2.98% | 0.47% | 2.51% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 0.97% | 2.28% | 1.31% |
| VVisa Inc. 'A' | 2.14% | 0.87% | 1.27% |
95.8% of PSET is already inside SCHX.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PSET or SCHX?
PSET has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SCHX charges 0.03%. SCHX is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSET or SCHX?
Over the past year PSET returned +6.00% vs +16.62% for SCHX, so SCHX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), PSET annualized +12.16% vs +14.12% for SCHX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSET or SCHX?
SCHX has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.0% for PSET. Worst drawdown: PSET -34.8% vs SCHX -34.3%.
Should I hold both PSET and SCHX?
PSET and SCHX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PSET and SCHX?
95.8% of PSET's money is in holdings SCHX also owns. 42.5% of SCHX's is in holdings PSET also owns. They hold 67 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 752 in SCHX.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSET or SCHX?
PSET yields 0.69% while SCHX yields 1.04%, so SCHX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHX better than PSET?
SCHX has a lower expense ratio. SCHX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.