BSPPX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

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 13.77%/yr vs 14.33%/yr for PLFIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BSPPX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.

Performance

BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares (BSPPX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BSPPX having a 11.39% return and PLFIX slightly higher at 11.52%.

BSPPX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.21%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 22.27%
• 5Y*: 13.77%
• 10Y*: —

PLFIX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 11.52%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 29.46%
• 3Y*: 23.16%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 15.62%

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

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	11.39%	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	11.52%	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 - 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	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 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.

Return for Risk

BSPPX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSPPX

BSPPX Risk / Return Rank: 73
BSPPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BSPPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
BSPPX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BSPPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BSPPX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PLFIX

PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

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.

	BSPPX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.55	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.46	-0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	3.37	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.46	15.78	-0.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSPPX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSPPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSPPX and PLFIX, 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

	BSPPX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.55	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.85	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.49	+0.26

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSPPX	PLFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest 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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.23%	-8.86%	+3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.90%	+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 2.82% and 2.81%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	BSPPX	PLFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.81%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	8.97%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.88%	11.87%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	16.91%	-0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	17.52%	+2.22%

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 1.29%, less than PLFIX's 2.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSPPX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Investor P Shares	1.29%	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	2.64%	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

Can I hold both BSPPX and PLFIX in my portfolio?

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.

Which is riskier, BSPPX or PLFIX?

BSPPX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to PLFIX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSPPX dropped -33.76% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.51), 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.