LTSTX vs. FRQAX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) and FRQAX (Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX returned 7.85%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for FRQAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LTSTX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for FRQAX.

Performance

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A (FRQAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTSTX achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly higher than FRQAX's 3.51% return. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX has outperformed FRQAX with an annualized return of 7.85%, while FRQAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.87% annualized return.

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.09%
• 6M: 3.23%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 1Y: 10.92%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 5.45%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

FRQAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 2.48%
• YTD: 3.51%
• 1Y: 8.09%
• 3Y*: 7.10%
• 5Y*: 2.44%
• 10Y*: 4.87%

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

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	4.83%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%
FRQAX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A	3.51%	9.54%	4.21%	8.24%	-12.60%	3.56%	9.32%	12.33%	-3.06%	10.34%

Correlation

The correlation between LTSTX and FRQAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008	0.93

The correlation between LTSTX and FRQAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LTSTX vs. FRQAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 45
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

FRQAX

FRQAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
FRQAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FRQAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FRQAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FRQAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FRQAX 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.

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) and Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A (FRQAX). 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.

	LTSTX	FRQAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.84	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	2.66	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.37	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.30	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.94	9.55	-0.61

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the FRQAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTSTX and FRQAX, 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

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTSTX drawdown since its inception was -48.17%, which is greater than FRQAX's maximum drawdown of -38.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTSTX and FRQAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTSTX	FRQAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.17%	-38.22%	-9.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.24%	-3.46%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.12%	-5.27%	-2.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-17.24%	-3.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.33%	-17.24%	-6.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.43%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.12%	-4.56%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	0.83%	+0.36%

Volatility

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) has a higher volatility of 2.10% compared to Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A (FRQAX) at 1.58%. This indicates that LTSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRQAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTSTX	FRQAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	1.58%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.99%	3.67%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.11%	4.33%	+2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.24%	5.59%	+3.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.76%	5.28%	+4.48%

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTSTX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than FRQAX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTSTX vs. FRQAX - Dividend Comparison

LTSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.63%, more than FRQAX's 2.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRQAX Fidelity Advisor Managed Retirement 2010 Fund Class A	2.89%	2.72%	2.71%	2.46%	4.74%	5.76%	3.26%	2.93%	5.33%	16.05%	2.18%	3.81%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.63%	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 LTSTX and FRQAX in my portfolio?

LTSTX and FRQAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LTSTX or FRQAX?

LTSTX has higher volatility (2.10%) compared to FRQAX (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTSTX dropped -48.17% vs FRQAX's -38.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRQAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.50), 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.