ARYIX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

ARYIX (American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, ARYIX returned 7.59%/yr vs 7.31%/yr for PLWIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ARYIX charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio (ARYIX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARYIX achieves a 5.22% return, which is significantly higher than PLWIX's 4.37% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ARYIX having a 7.59% annualized return and PLWIX not far behind at 7.31%.

ARYIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 5.22%
• 6M: 5.48%
• 1Y: 13.91%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 4.66%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: 7.31%

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

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARYIX American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio	5.22%	12.27%	8.71%	12.88%	-15.65%	10.80%	13.85%	19.98%	-3.48%	12.69%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.37%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between ARYIX and PLWIX 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 (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 2, 2004	0.97

The correlation between ARYIX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ARYIX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARYIX

ARYIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
ARYIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
ARYIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ARYIX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ARYIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
ARYIX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio (ARYIX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). 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.

	ARYIX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.04	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	2.95	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.53	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.91	11.30	-1.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARYIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARYIX and PLWIX, 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

	ARYIX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.04	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.64	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.86	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.53	+0.03

Drawdowns

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARYIX drawdown since its inception was -45.10%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARYIX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARYIX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.10%	-49.07%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.07%	-4.75%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.68%	-6.97%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.91%	-19.73%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.18%	-20.29%	-3.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.24%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.38%	-5.72%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	1.06%	+0.33%

Volatility

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio (ARYIX) has a higher volatility of 2.12% compared to Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) at 1.93%. This indicates that ARYIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARYIX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	1.93%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.64%	4.80%	+0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.07%	5.92%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.77%	8.24%	+1.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.52%	8.56%	+1.96%

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARYIX has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARYIX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

ARYIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.49%, more than PLWIX's 9.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARYIX American Century Investments One Choice 2035 Portfolio	10.49%	11.03%	4.60%	2.68%	5.29%	7.37%	6.20%	8.10%	10.05%	1.42%	3.55%	7.45%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.66%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARYIX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, ARYIX and PLWIX 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, ARYIX or PLWIX?

ARYIX has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to PLWIX (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARYIX dropped -45.10% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLWIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.96), 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.