FAPTX vs. LTSTX
FAPTX (American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund Class F-1) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, FAPTX returned 7.72%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for LTSTX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FAPTX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.
Performance
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAPTX achieves a 5.09% return, which is significantly higher than LTSTX's 4.74% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FAPTX having a 7.72% annualized return and LTSTX not far ahead at 7.91%.
FAPTX
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- 0.48%
- 6M
- 3.66%
- YTD
- 5.09%
- 1Y
- 11.06%
- 3Y*
- 11.62%
- 5Y*
- 5.59%
- 10Y*
- 7.72%
LTSTX
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- 6M
- 3.23%
- YTD
- 4.74%
- 1Y
- 10.63%
- 3Y*
- 11.82%
- 5Y*
- 5.26%
- 10Y*
- 7.91%
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAPTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund Class F-1 | 5.09% | 14.15% | 8.89% | 11.63% | -13.11% | 11.03% | 13.39% | 17.28% | -3.76% | 14.97% |
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 4.74% | 12.16% | 11.91% | 13.30% | -15.23% | 10.91% | 13.70% | 20.50% | -6.41% | 16.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAPTX and LTSTX is 0.94, 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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
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 Feb 24, 2014 | 0.96 |
The correlation between FAPTX and LTSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FAPTX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank
FAPTX
LTSTX
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund Class F-1 (FAPTX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). 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.
| FAPTX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.27 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.05 | 1.96 | +0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.05 | 8.63 | +0.42 |
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Drawdowns
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAPTX drawdown since its inception was -19.23%, smaller than the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAPTX and LTSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAPTX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.23% | -48.17% | +28.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.35% | -5.24% | -0.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.83% | -8.12% | +1.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.05% | -21.01% | +1.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.23% | -23.33% | +4.10% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.36% | -0.52% | +0.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.96% | -6.13% | +3.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.21% | 1.19% | +0.02% |
Volatility
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund Class F-1 (FAPTX) is 1.95%, while Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) has a volatility of 2.45%. This indicates that FAPTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAPTX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.95% | 2.45% | -0.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.23% | 5.95% | -0.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.33% | 7.08% | -0.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.24% | 9.24% | -1.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.89% | 9.76% | -0.87% |
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAPTX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX's 0.01% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAPTX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison
FAPTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.05%, less than LTSTX's 11.64% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAPTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund Class F-1 | 7.05% | 7.41% | 5.22% | 3.04% | 3.96% | 6.26% | 3.63% | 3.69% | 4.08% | 2.40% | 3.30% | 5.92% |
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 11.64% | 12.19% | 9.74% | 4.26% | 8.00% | 7.66% | 5.25% | 6.91% | 6.39% | 4.75% | 3.65% | 8.91% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, FAPTX and LTSTX 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.
LTSTX has higher volatility (2.45%) compared to FAPTX (1.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAPTX dropped -19.23% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.
FAPTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.46), 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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