BSPPX vs. PLFIX
BSPPX (iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P 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 5 years, BSPPX returned 12.29%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for PLFIX. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. BSPPX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.
Performance
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BSPPX having a 9.13% return and PLFIX slightly higher at 9.30%.
BSPPX
- 1D
- 1.66%
- 1M
- -0.58%
- 6M
- 7.61%
- YTD
- 9.13%
- 1Y
- 20.19%
- 3Y*
- 18.61%
- 5Y*
- 12.29%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 14.10%
PLFIX
- 1D
- 1.67%
- 1M
- -0.56%
- 6M
- 7.77%
- YTD
- 9.30%
- 1Y
- 20.54%
- 3Y*
- 19.49%
- 5Y*
- 12.85%
- 10Y*
- 14.97%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.05%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSPPX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares | 9.13% | 17.46% | 24.54% | 25.85% | -18.40% | 28.23% | 18.05% | 31.02% | -13.57% |
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 9.30% | 17.77% | 26.77% | 26.00% | -18.21% | 28.25% | 18.11% | 31.35% | -13.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSPPX and PLFIX is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2018 | 0.98 |
The correlation between BSPPX 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
BSPPX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank
BSPPX
PLFIX
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares (BSPPX) 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.
| BSPPX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.26 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 2.05 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.57 | 8.80 | -0.23 |
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Drawdowns
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSPPX 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 BSPPX and PLFIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSPPX | 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 | — | -33.77% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.16% | -2.13% | -0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.15% | -8.81% | +3.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.09% | 2.07% | +0.02% |
Volatility
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares (BSPPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 3.44% and 3.47%, 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
| BSPPX | PLFIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.44% | 3.47% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.09% | 10.11% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.85% | 12.85% | 0.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.00% | 17.03% | -0.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.64% | 17.52% | +2.12% |
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSPPX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.
Dividends
BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison
BSPPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, less than PLFIX's 2.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSPPX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares | 1.37% | 1.43% | 1.12% | 1.22% | 1.67% | 1.53% | 1.38% | 1.70% | 1.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 2.70% | 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, BSPPX 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.
PLFIX has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to BSPPX (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSPPX dropped -33.76% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.
PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.39), 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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