BSPAX vs. PLFIX
BSPAX (iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor A Shares) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from iShares and Principal respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSPAX returned 14.55%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for PLFIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BSPAX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.
Performance
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSPAX achieves a 9.42% return, which is significantly lower than PLFIX's 10.69% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BSPAX having a 14.55% annualized return and PLFIX not far ahead at 15.14%.
BSPAX
- 1D
- -1.01%
- 1M
- -0.53%
- 6M
- 7.88%
- YTD
- 9.42%
- 1Y
- 19.39%
- 3Y*
- 19.01%
- 5Y*
- 12.71%
- 10Y*
- 14.55%
PLFIX
- 1D
- -0.53%
- 1M
- 0.50%
- 6M
- 9.14%
- YTD
- 10.69%
- 1Y
- 20.96%
- 3Y*
- 20.59%
- 5Y*
- 13.49%
- 10Y*
- 15.14%
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSPAX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor A Shares | 9.42% | 17.46% | 24.54% | 25.85% | -18.40% | 28.22% | 18.05% | 31.02% | -5.05% | 20.97% |
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 10.69% | 17.77% | 26.77% | 26.00% | -18.21% | 28.25% | 18.11% | 31.35% | -4.66% | 21.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSPAX and PLFIX is 1.00 - 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 | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014 | 0.99 |
The correlation between BSPAX and PLFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BSPAX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank
BSPAX
PLFIX
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor A Shares (BSPAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). 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.
| BSPAX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.31 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 2.44 | -0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.50 | 10.69 | -1.19 |
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Drawdowns
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSPAX drawdown since its inception was -33.76%, smaller than the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSPAX and PLFIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSPAX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.76% | -55.28% | +21.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.95% | -8.90% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.77% | -18.77% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.70% | -24.58% | -0.12% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.76% | -33.77% | +0.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.90% | -0.89% | -1.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.97% | -8.82% | +4.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.05% | 2.03% | +0.02% |
Volatility
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor A Shares (BSPAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 3.37% and 3.27%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BSPAX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.37% | 3.27% | +0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.04% | 10.01% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.59% | 12.55% | +0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.98% | 17.02% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.01% | 17.50% | +0.51% |
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSPAX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.
Dividends
BSPAX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison
BSPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, less than PLFIX's 2.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSPAX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor A Shares | 1.37% | 1.43% | 1.12% | 1.22% | 1.67% | 1.52% | 1.37% | 1.70% | 1.74% | 1.40% | 1.62% | 2.17% |
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 2.66% | 2.95% | 4.28% | 4.13% | 2.96% | 13.60% | 7.57% | 3.83% | 7.52% | 7.01% | 3.23% | 2.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, BSPAX and PLFIX 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.
BSPAX has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to PLFIX (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSPAX dropped -33.76% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.
PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.55), 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.
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