LTINX vs. PLTNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LTINX (Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund) and PLTNX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, LTINX returned 6.58%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for PLTNX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LTINX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for PLTNX.

Performance

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund (LTINX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTINX achieves a 4.15% return, which is significantly lower than PLTNX's 11.67% return. Over the past 10 years, LTINX has underperformed PLTNX with an annualized return of 6.58%, while PLTNX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.98% annualized return.

LTINX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 4.15%
• 6M: 4.26%
• 1Y: 11.43%
• 3Y*: 10.65%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 6.58%

PLTNX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 28.09%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 10.55%
• 10Y*: 11.98%

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

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTINX Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund	4.15%	10.61%	10.67%	11.15%	-13.61%	7.41%	11.87%	16.32%	-4.72%	13.19%
PLTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund	11.67%	19.89%	17.25%	20.33%	-18.49%	19.70%	15.78%	26.17%	-9.84%	21.03%

Correlation

The correlation between LTINX and PLTNX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.93

The correlation between LTINX and PLTNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LTINX vs. PLTNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTINX

LTINX Risk / Return Rank: 57
LTINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
LTINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
LTINX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
LTINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
LTINX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

PLTNX

PLTNX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PLTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
PLTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PLTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
PLTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PLTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund (LTINX) and Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX). 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.

	LTINX	PLTNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.40	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.32	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.44	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	3.31	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.04	15.21	-3.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the PLTNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTINX and PLTNX, 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

	LTINX	PLTNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.40	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.68	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.76	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.69	-0.18

Drawdowns

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTINX drawdown since its inception was -44.03%, which is greater than PLTNX's maximum drawdown of -32.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTINX and PLTNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTINX	PLTNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.03%	-32.71%	-11.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.29%	-8.66%	+4.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.16%	-16.66%	+10.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.54%	-25.48%	+6.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.54%	-32.71%	+14.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.18%	-4.77%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	1.88%	-0.92%

Volatility

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund (LTINX) is 1.80%, while Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund (PLTNX) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that LTINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLTNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTINX	PLTNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.80%	3.42%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.30%	9.50%	-5.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.25%	11.98%	-6.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.34%	15.49%	-8.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.34%	15.84%	-8.50%

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTINX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than PLTNX's 0.05% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LTINX vs. PLTNX - Dividend Comparison

LTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.43%, more than PLTNX's 4.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTINX Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund	11.43%	11.91%	10.80%	4.75%	7.98%	8.21%	5.51%	12.76%	9.62%	7.62%	3.63%	8.86%
PLTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund	4.11%	4.59%	4.40%	2.84%	9.11%	4.23%	3.11%	3.47%	4.68%	2.21%	1.99%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTINX and PLTNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, LTINX and PLTNX 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, LTINX or PLTNX?

PLTNX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to LTINX (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTINX dropped -44.03% vs PLTNX's -32.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.21), 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.