PSET vs VOO
Principal Quality ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, PSET or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 150 | 519 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Tie | 15.0%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 10.6 years | $33,783 | $40,819Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.2%Best | 39.1% |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2016 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 18 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PSET has data through Oct 19, 2026 and VOO through Nov 6, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Oct 19, 2026 (10.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSET and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 15.0% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -34.8% for PSET and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. 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 VOO 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 1.05% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
97.7% of PSET's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 46.6% of VOO's money is in holdings PSET also owns.
Most of PSET is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
70 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 506 in VOO, against full books of 150 and 519.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 431 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for PSET (53.4% of the fund), and 1 for PSET that do not appear in VOO (0.2%).
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 VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.13% | 8.39% | 1.26% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.11% | 7.38% | 1.27% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.38% | 5.78% | 1.40% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.27% | 3.71% | 1.44% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.88% | 2.45% | 0.43% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 1.28% | 3.07% | 1.79% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.19% | 2.54% | 1.35% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc. | 2.98% | 0.49% | 2.49% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.97% | 2.43% | 1.46% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.14% | 0.91% | 1.23% |
97.7% of PSET is already inside VOO.
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 VOO?
PSET has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PSET or VOO?
PSET and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 15.0% annualized. Worst drawdown: PSET -34.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both PSET and VOO?
PSET and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 VOO?
97.7% of PSET's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 46.6% of VOO's is in holdings PSET also owns. They hold 70 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 506 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSET or VOO?
PSET yields 0.69% while VOO yields 1.05%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than PSET?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.