FIRFX vs. PLWIX
FIRFX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, FIRFX returned 6.89%/yr vs 7.19%/yr for PLWIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FIRFX charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.
Performance
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FIRFX achieves a 4.52% return, which is significantly higher than PLWIX's 4.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FIRFX having a 6.89% annualized return and PLWIX not far ahead at 7.19%.
FIRFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 2.94%
- YTD
- 4.52%
- 1Y
- 10.98%
- 3Y*
- 9.66%
- 5Y*
- 4.19%
- 10Y*
- 6.89%
PLWIX
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- 6M
- 2.85%
- YTD
- 4.29%
- 1Y
- 9.78%
- 3Y*
- 11.21%
- 5Y*
- 5.00%
- 10Y*
- 7.19%
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIRFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I | 4.52% | 13.43% | 6.55% | 11.83% | -15.66% | 8.02% | 13.09% | 17.53% | -5.07% | 14.27% |
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund | 4.29% | 11.32% | 12.21% | 12.23% | -14.36% | 9.05% | 12.70% | 18.40% | -5.72% | 14.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between FIRFX and PLWIX is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2007 | 0.97 |
The correlation between FIRFX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FIRFX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank
FIRFX
PLWIX
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I (FIRFX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). 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.
| FIRFX | PLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.28 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 1.98 | +0.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.52 | 8.60 | +1.91 |
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Drawdowns
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FIRFX drawdown since its inception was -41.29%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIRFX and PLWIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FIRFX | PLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.29% | -49.07% | +7.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.11% | -4.75% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.25% | -6.97% | -0.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.56% | -19.73% | -1.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.56% | -20.29% | -1.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.85% | -0.39% | -1.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.20% | -5.70% | +0.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.23% | 1.09% | +0.14% |
Volatility
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison
Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I (FIRFX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) have volatilities of 2.18% and 2.26%, 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
| FIRFX | PLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.18% | 2.26% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.48% | 5.30% | +0.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.52% | 6.28% | +0.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.21% | 8.29% | -0.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.37% | 8.51% | -0.14% |
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FIRFX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX's 0.01% expense ratio.
Dividends
FIRFX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison
FIRFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, less than PLWIX's 9.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FIRFX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2025 Fund Class I | 3.58% | 2.66% | 2.56% | 2.43% | 4.63% | 5.08% | 3.57% | 3.80% | 7.10% | 24.68% | 2.44% | 4.49% |
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund | 9.67% | 10.08% | 11.91% | 5.12% | 9.82% | 9.40% | 5.90% | 8.69% | 7.35% | 5.74% | 3.73% | 8.75% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, FIRFX and PLWIX 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.
PLWIX has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to FIRFX (2.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIRFX dropped -41.29% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.
FIRFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.49), 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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