JSMSX vs. LTFIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JSMSX (JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, JSMSX returned 9.87%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for LTFIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. JSMSX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.

Performance

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund (JSMSX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JSMSX achieves a 6.37% return, which is significantly lower than LTFIX's 9.67% return. Over the past 10 years, JSMSX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 9.87%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.59% annualized return.

JSMSX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 6.37%
• 6M: 6.66%
• 1Y: 16.72%
• 3Y*: 12.77%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: 9.87%

LTFIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 4.75%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: 11.59%

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

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JSMSX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund	6.37%	14.15%	6.89%	18.54%	-16.76%	10.72%	12.45%	41.23%	-7.64%	18.74%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	9.67%	17.80%	17.28%	20.33%	-18.84%	17.73%	16.47%	27.27%	-9.03%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between JSMSX and LTFIX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
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 Mar 3, 2008	0.97

The correlation between JSMSX and LTFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JSMSX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JSMSX

JSMSX Risk / Return Rank: 55
JSMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
JSMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
JSMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
JSMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
JSMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

LTFIX

LTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
LTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
LTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
LTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
LTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
LTFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund (JSMSX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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.

	JSMSX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.97	+0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	2.78	+0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.36	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	2.68	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.44	12.06	-0.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JSMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the LTFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JSMSX and LTFIX, 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

	JSMSX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	1.97	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.61	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.73	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.47	+0.03

Drawdowns

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JSMSX drawdown since its inception was -50.05%, smaller than the maximum LTFIX drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JSMSX and LTFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JSMSX	LTFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.05%	-52.73%	+2.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.44%	-8.71%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.53%	-15.70%	+6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.56%	-26.80%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.42%	-33.50%	+8.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.38%	-7.64%	+1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.48%	1.93%	-0.45%

Volatility

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund (JSMSX) is 2.59%, while Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) has a volatility of 3.34%. This indicates that JSMSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JSMSX	LTFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.59%	3.34%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.24%	9.46%	-3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.72%	11.84%	-4.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.38%	15.46%	-5.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.45%	15.84%	-3.39%

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JSMSX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

JSMSX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison

JSMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.50%, less than LTFIX's 7.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JSMSX JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2030 Fund	5.50%	5.85%	5.49%	2.50%	8.25%	12.28%	4.20%	31.61%	6.17%	4.18%	2.83%	3.20%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	7.96%	8.73%	8.47%	4.17%	8.60%	5.83%	3.91%	6.03%	6.60%	3.51%	3.99%	4.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JSMSX and LTFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, JSMSX and LTFIX 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, JSMSX or LTFIX?

LTFIX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to JSMSX (2.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JSMSX dropped -50.05% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JSMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.97), 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.