AAEFX vs. LTIUX

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

AAEFX (American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio) and LTIUX (Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, AAEFX returned 8.49%/yr vs 6.43%/yr for LTIUX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AAEFX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTIUX.

Performance

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio (AAEFX) and Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAEFX achieves a 9.36% return, which is significantly higher than LTIUX's 5.27% return.

AAEFX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -1.13%
• YTD: 9.36%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 22.07%
• 3Y*: 17.93%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: —

LTIUX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 5.27%
• 6M: 4.58%
• 1Y: 12.98%
• 3Y*: 14.09%
• 5Y*: 6.43%
• 10Y*: 9.97%

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

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AAEFX American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio	9.36%	20.22%	15.24%	16.92%	-16.95%	9.49%
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	5.27%	14.26%	14.13%	16.51%	-17.48%	11.15%

Correlation

The correlation between AAEFX and LTIUX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2021	0.96

The correlation between AAEFX and LTIUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AAEFX vs. LTIUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAEFX

AAEFX Risk / Return Rank: 58
AAEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
AAEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AAEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AAEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
AAEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

LTIUX

LTIUX Risk / Return Rank: 43
LTIUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
LTIUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
LTIUX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
LTIUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
LTIUX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio (AAEFX) and Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAEFX	LTIUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.51	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.16	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.28	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	2.10	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.69	9.12	+1.57

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAEFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the LTIUX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAEFX and LTIUX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAEFX drawdown since its inception was -26.07%, smaller than the maximum LTIUX drawdown of -49.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAEFX and LTIUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAEFX	LTIUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.07%	-49.65%	+23.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-6.57%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.99%	-11.08%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.07%	-24.23%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-1.34%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.49%	-6.69%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.51%	+0.66%

Volatility

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Volatility Comparison

American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio (AAEFX) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund (LTIUX) at 3.57%. This indicates that AAEFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTIUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAEFX	LTIUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	3.57%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	7.60%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.49%	9.12%	+3.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	11.91%	+3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.72%	12.45%	+2.27%

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAEFX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than LTIUX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAEFX vs. LTIUX - Dividend Comparison

AAEFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, less than LTIUX's 8.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAEFX American Century One Choice Blend+ 2060 Portfolio	3.11%	3.40%	3.00%	2.06%	2.54%	3.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LTIUX Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund	8.58%	9.03%	9.46%	4.17%	7.50%	7.06%	5.35%	7.28%	7.75%	5.46%	4.28%	5.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAEFX and LTIUX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, AAEFX and LTIUX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AAEFX or LTIUX?

AAEFX has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to LTIUX (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAEFX dropped -26.07% vs LTIUX's -49.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAEFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.51), 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.