AACTX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AACTX (American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, AACTX returned 7.14%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AACTX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AACTX achieves a 4.87% return, which is significantly lower than PPLIX's 9.45% return. Over the past 10 years, AACTX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 7.14%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.60% annualized return.

AACTX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 4.87%
• 6M: 5.25%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 11.35%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	4.87%	13.91%	8.63%	10.06%	-11.29%	10.28%	10.61%	15.25%	-3.03%	12.46%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between AACTX and PPLIX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.94

The correlation between AACTX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AACTX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AACTX

AACTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
AACTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
AACTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AACTX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AACTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
AACTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AACTX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.99	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	2.81	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	2.68	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.04	12.05	-0.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AACTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AACTX and PPLIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AACTX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.99	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.62	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.75	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.46	+0.06

Drawdowns

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AACTX drawdown since its inception was -46.28%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AACTX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AACTX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.28%	-55.61%	+9.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-8.57%	+3.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.35%	-15.59%	+9.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.18%	-26.85%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.18%	-32.67%	+15.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.53%	-8.30%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	1.90%	-0.75%

Volatility

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AACTX) is 1.86%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 3.25%. This indicates that AACTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AACTX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.86%	3.25%	-1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.55%	9.22%	-4.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.68%	11.56%	-5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.47%	15.47%	-8.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.76%	15.59%	-7.83%

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AACTX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

AACTX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

AACTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.44%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AACTX American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund	7.44%	7.80%	5.18%	3.25%	3.95%	6.30%	4.22%	3.96%	4.16%	2.52%	2.99%	4.12%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AACTX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

AACTX and PPLIX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AACTX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to AACTX (1.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AACTX dropped -46.28% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AACTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.99), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.