PSTR vs USMC
PeakShares Sector Rotation ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, PSTR or USMC?
Each has led over a different period.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. PSTR led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.4%.
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 | PSTR | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.06% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $67M | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.95% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 340 | 58 |
| YTD Return | +12.31% | +13.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.84%Best | +14.91% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.8%Best | 11.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.7%Best | -19.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $14,552 | $16,148Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.4% | 55.3%Best |
| Fund Family | PeakShares LLC | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2024 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.5 years).
PSTR 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
PSTR vs USMC Performance
PeakShares Sector Rotation ETF (PSTR) is an ETF from PeakShares LLC and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year PSTR returned +15.84% while USMC returned +14.91%. Year to date, PSTR is up 12.31% versus a gain of 13.98% for USMC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.7% compared with 7.8% for PSTR. 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 -13.7% for PSTR and -19.1% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSTR charges 1.06% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $106 vs $12 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSTR currently yields 4.95% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
12.2% of PSTR's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 52.0% of USMC's money is in holdings PSTR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
11 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PSTR and 27 in USMC, against full books of 340 and 58.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 16 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for PSTR (47.9% of the fund), and 81 for PSTR that do not appear in USMC (84.6%).
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 PSTR | Weight in USMC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 1.97% | 7.99% | 6.02% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.24% | 7.18% | 5.94% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.79% | 5.55% | 2.76% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.74% | 7.40% | 6.66% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 2.47% | 3.92% | 1.45% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.46% | 3.77% | 2.31% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.26% | 4.44% | 4.18% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.33% | 3.82% | 3.49% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 0.21% | 3.16% | 2.95% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.43% | 2.47% | 2.04% |
52.0% of USMC is already inside PSTR.
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, PSTR or USMC?
PSTR has an expense ratio of 1.06% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSTR or USMC?
Over the past year PSTR returned +15.84% vs +14.91% for USMC, so PSTR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSTR or USMC?
USMC has been the more volatile fund at 11.7% annualized versus 7.8% for PSTR. Worst drawdown: PSTR -13.7% vs USMC -19.1%.
Should I hold both PSTR and USMC?
PSTR and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 PSTR and USMC?
52.0% of USMC's money is in holdings PSTR also owns. 52.0% of USMC's is in holdings PSTR also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PSTR and 27 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSTR or USMC?
PSTR yields 4.95% while USMC yields 0.74%, so PSTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than PSTR?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. PSTR led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. USMC is less concentrated, with 55.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.