PFG vs VXX: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Principal Financial Group (PFG) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) carry a correlation of -0.57, a negative link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are PFG and VXX?
Over the past 3 years, PFG and VXX moved with a correlation of -0.57, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The link has tightened recently: the 1-year correlation (-0.35) runs above the 3-year figure (-0.57). Over 5 years the correlation is -0.51, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -797.1 %².
Out of 32 assets tracked against PFG, VXX lands near the bottom at #32. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with PFG ahead by 93.6 points (+43.9% versus -49.7%). Note the risk asymmetry: VXX runs 2.7 times the annualized volatility of the other leg, so equal-weighting the two is not an equal-risk position.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
PFG vs VXX: side by side
| PFG (Principal Financial Group) | VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +43.9% | -49.7% |
| 5-year return | +99.7% | -95.6% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 22.9% | 60.9% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.88 | -3.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -22.4% | -83.3% |
| Market cap | $24.0B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 16.0 | – |
| Dividend yield | 2.84% | 0.00% |
| Sector / category | Financials | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | PFG | VXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +20.1% | -23.8% |
| 2023 | -2.8% | -72.5% |
| 2024 | +1.9% | -26.2% |
| 2025 | +18.4% | -42.2% |
| 2026 | +29.3% | -31.6% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are PFG and VXX good diversifiers for each other?
Yes: at -0.57, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
FAQ
What is the correlation between PFG and VXX?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: -0.57 over 3 years, with -0.35 over the last year and -0.51 over 5 years.
Is VXX a good diversifier for PFG?
Yes: at -0.57, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
What does a correlation of -0.57 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/pfg-vs-vxx.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/pfg-vs-vxx/)
Free with attribution; caching and terms are described in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: PFG correlations · VXX correlations
