LIPIX vs. LTSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LIPIX (BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LIPIX returned 11.99%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for LTSTX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. LIPIX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.

Performance

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional (LIPIX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIPIX achieves a 12.45% return, which is significantly higher than LTSTX's 5.20% return. Over the past 10 years, LIPIX has outperformed LTSTX with an annualized return of 11.99%, while LTSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.05% annualized return.

LIPIX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 5.32%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 13.25%
• 1Y: 28.60%
• 3Y*: 20.09%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: 11.99%

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

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

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIPIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional	12.45%	20.70%	15.61%	21.25%	-18.33%	18.68%	14.23%	26.72%	-7.86%	21.38%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	5.20%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%

Correlation

The correlation between LIPIX and LTSTX 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2011	0.96

The correlation between LIPIX and LTSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIPIX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIPIX

LIPIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
LIPIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
LIPIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
LIPIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LIPIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
LIPIX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional (LIPIX) 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.

	LIPIX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.11	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	3.05	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.41	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	2.67	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.10	12.06	+2.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIPIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the LTSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIPIX and LTSTX, 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

	LIPIX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.11	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.62	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.82	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.48	+0.15

Drawdowns

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIPIX drawdown since its inception was -34.29%, smaller than the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIPIX and LTSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIPIX	LTSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.29%	-48.17%	+13.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-5.24%	-3.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.98%	-8.12%	-7.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.39%	-21.01%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.29%	-23.33%	-10.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.48%	-6.16%	+1.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	1.16%	+0.89%

Volatility

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional (LIPIX) has a higher volatility of 3.76% compared to Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) at 2.02%. This indicates that LIPIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIPIX	LTSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	2.02%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.64%	5.39%	+4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	6.64%	+5.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.50%	9.18%	+6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	9.83%	+6.68%

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIPIX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX'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

LIPIX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison

LIPIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than LTSTX's 11.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIPIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2050 Fund Institutional	2.47%	2.77%	2.45%	2.10%	2.03%	2.15%	1.08%	3.29%	2.37%	2.31%	1.57%	3.12%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.59%	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

Can I hold both LIPIX and LTSTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, LIPIX 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.

Which is riskier, LIPIX or LTSTX?

LIPIX has higher volatility (3.76%) compared to LTSTX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIPIX dropped -34.29% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIPIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.11), 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.