CMNWX vs. PLGIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CMNWX (Principal Capital Appreciation Fund) and PLGIX (Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I) are both mutual funds - CMNWX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Principal, while PLGIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, CMNWX returned 15.46%/yr vs 20.03%/yr for PLGIX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CMNWX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for PLGIX.

Performance

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX) and Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CMNWX achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly higher than PLGIX's 4.49% return. Over the past 10 years, CMNWX has underperformed PLGIX with an annualized return of 15.46%, while PLGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 20.03% annualized return.

CMNWX

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 3.60%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.13%
• 1Y: 24.41%
• 3Y*: 23.09%
• 5Y*: 14.51%
• 10Y*: 15.46%

PLGIX

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 4.49%
• 6M: 3.32%
• 1Y: 13.10%
• 3Y*: 34.91%
• 5Y*: 17.42%
• 10Y*: 20.03%

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

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CMNWX Principal Capital Appreciation Fund	9.93%	13.27%	32.14%	25.01%	-16.37%	27.45%	18.36%	32.21%	-4.12%	20.64%
PLGIX Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I	4.49%	11.59%	83.01%	40.40%	-34.05%	21.49%	36.06%	34.89%	3.44%	33.67%

Correlation

The correlation between CMNWX and PLGIX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2000	0.93

The correlation between CMNWX and PLGIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CMNWX vs. PLGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CMNWX

CMNWX Risk / Return Rank: 50
CMNWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
CMNWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
CMNWX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
CMNWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
CMNWX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

PLGIX

PLGIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
PLGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PLGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PLGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PLGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PLGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX) and Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX). 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.

	CMNWX	PLGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.90	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	1.32	+1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.16	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	0.76	+2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.86	2.34	+10.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CMNWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the PLGIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CMNWX and PLGIX, 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

	CMNWX	PLGIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	0.90	+1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.58	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.79	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.45	+0.26

Drawdowns

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CMNWX drawdown since its inception was -50.43%, smaller than the maximum PLGIX drawdown of -55.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CMNWX and PLGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CMNWX	PLGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.43%	-55.43%	+5.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-18.32%	+9.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-21.39%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	-40.63%	+17.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.26%	-40.63%	+7.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-1.82%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.95%	-13.25%	+6.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	5.90%	-4.00%

Volatility

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX) is 3.00%, while Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) has a volatility of 4.04%. This indicates that CMNWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CMNWX	PLGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	4.04%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	12.14%	-2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.40%	15.33%	-2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.80%	30.13%	-13.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	25.44%	-8.25%

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CMNWX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than PLGIX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CMNWX vs. PLGIX - Dividend Comparison

CMNWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.96%, less than PLGIX's 13.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMNWX Principal Capital Appreciation Fund	7.96%	8.75%	10.03%	0.71%	0.69%	9.52%	5.33%	8.37%	46.60%	7.72%	10.32%	5.42%
PLGIX Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I	13.83%	14.45%	63.77%	5.99%	11.57%	11.34%	7.03%	8.01%	16.41%	7.05%	4.64%	12.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CMNWX and PLGIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, CMNWX and PLGIX 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, CMNWX or PLGIX?

PLGIX has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to CMNWX (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CMNWX dropped -50.43% vs PLGIX's -55.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CMNWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.90), 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.