LIVIX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LIVIX (BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LIVIX returned 12.06%/yr vs 7.40%/yr for PLWIX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. LIVIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIVIX achieves a 12.50% return, which is significantly higher than PLWIX's 4.37% return. Over the past 10 years, LIVIX has outperformed PLWIX with an annualized return of 12.06%, while PLWIX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.40% annualized return.

LIVIX

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 12.50%
• 6M: 12.19%
• 1Y: 29.35%
• 3Y*: 18.59%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: 12.06%

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: 11.89%
• 3Y*: 11.17%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

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

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIVIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund	12.50%	21.57%	13.60%	21.62%	-18.38%	18.75%	14.99%	26.76%	-7.83%	21.38%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.37%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between LIVIX and PLWIX 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	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2011	0.95

The correlation between LIVIX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIVIX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIVIX

LIVIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
LIVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
LIVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
LIVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LIVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
LIVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX) 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.

	LIVIX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	1.90	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.73	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.50	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.30	10.94	+2.35

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIVIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIVIX and PLWIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIVIX drawdown since its inception was -34.44%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIVIX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIVIX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.44%	-49.07%	+14.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.44%	-4.75%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.39%	-6.97%	-10.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.45%	-19.73%	-6.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.44%	-20.29%	-14.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.24%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.51%	-5.71%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.08%	+1.09%

Volatility

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund (LIVIX) has a higher volatility of 5.27% compared to Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) at 2.53%. This indicates that LIVIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LIVIX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.27%	2.53%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.05%	5.22%	+5.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.27%	6.25%	+7.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.97%	8.29%	+7.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.77%	8.58%	+8.19%

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIVIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX'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

LIVIX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

LIVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, less than PLWIX's 9.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIVIX BlackRock LifePath Index 2055 Fund	2.21%	2.48%	0.01%	2.04%	1.96%	2.04%	1.56%	2.95%	2.35%	2.27%	1.54%	2.88%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.66%	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

Can I hold both LIVIX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, LIVIX 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.

Which is riskier, LIVIX or PLWIX?

LIVIX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to PLWIX (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIVIX dropped -34.44% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIVIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.90), 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.