LIRAX vs. LTSTX
LIRAX (BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX returned 5.35%/yr vs 7.73%/yr for LTSTX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. LIRAX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.
Performance
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with LIRAX having a 4.52% return and LTSTX slightly lower at 4.47%. Over the past 10 years, LIRAX has underperformed LTSTX with an annualized return of 5.35%, while LTSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.73% annualized return.
LIRAX
- 1D
- 0.72%
- 1M
- -0.49%
- 6M
- 3.00%
- YTD
- 4.52%
- 1Y
- 10.11%
- 3Y*
- 8.54%
- 5Y*
- 3.35%
- 10Y*
- 5.35%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.14%
LTSTX
- 1D
- 0.79%
- 1M
- -0.17%
- 6M
- 2.78%
- YTD
- 4.47%
- 1Y
- 10.06%
- 3Y*
- 10.75%
- 5Y*
- 5.16%
- 10Y*
- 7.73%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.35%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares | 4.52% | 12.09% | 5.84% | 11.22% | -15.49% | 6.42% | 11.05% | 15.60% | -3.79% | 10.43% |
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 4.47% | 12.16% | 11.91% | 13.30% | -15.23% | 10.91% | 13.70% | 20.50% | -6.41% | 16.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between LIRAX and LTSTX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2011 | 0.92 |
The correlation between LIRAX and LTSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
LIRAX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank
LIRAX
LTSTX
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) 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.
| LIRAX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.24 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.33 | 1.80 | +0.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.70 | 7.79 | +1.91 |
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Drawdowns
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LIRAX drawdown since its inception was -20.67%, smaller than the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIRAX and LTSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LIRAX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.67% | -48.17% | +27.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.29% | -5.24% | +0.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.93% | -8.12% | +1.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.67% | -21.01% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.67% | -23.33% | +2.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.12% | -0.78% | -0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.92% | -6.11% | +3.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 1.21% | -0.18% |
Volatility
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares (LIRAX) is 1.72%, while Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) has a volatility of 1.95%. This indicates that LIRAX 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
| LIRAX | LTSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.72% | 1.95% | -0.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.13% | 5.99% | -0.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.09% | 7.19% | -1.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.91% | 9.23% | -1.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.52% | 9.76% | -2.24% |
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
LIRAX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX's 0.01% expense ratio.
Dividends
LIRAX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison
LIRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.02%, less than LTSTX's 11.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LIRAX BlackRock LifePath Index Retirement Fund Investor A Shares | 5.02% | 3.53% | 1.82% | 2.37% | 2.42% | 2.42% | 1.70% | 2.22% | 2.18% | 1.99% | 2.23% | 2.67% |
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 11.67% | 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 0.96, LIRAX 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 (1.95%) compared to LIRAX (1.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIRAX dropped -20.67% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.
LIRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.32), 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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