LTSTX vs. PPLIX
LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX returned 8.09%/yr vs 11.63%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.01% expense ratio.
Performance
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LTSTX achieves a 4.92% return, which is significantly lower than PPLIX's 8.79% return. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 8.09%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.63% annualized return.
LTSTX
- 1D
- 0.70%
- 1M
- 1.14%
- YTD
- 4.92%
- 6M
- 4.88%
- 1Y
- 13.15%
- 3Y*
- 11.63%
- 5Y*
- 5.71%
- 10Y*
- 8.09%
PPLIX
- 1D
- 1.18%
- 1M
- 1.71%
- YTD
- 8.79%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 21.85%
- 3Y*
- 17.96%
- 5Y*
- 9.66%
- 10Y*
- 11.63%
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 4.92% | 12.16% | 11.91% | 13.30% | -15.23% | 10.91% | 13.70% | 20.50% | -6.41% | 16.75% |
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund | 8.79% | 17.55% | 19.12% | 20.36% | -18.78% | 17.04% | 16.56% | 26.67% | -8.74% | 22.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between LTSTX and PPLIX is 0.97 - 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 | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008 | 0.98 |
The correlation between LTSTX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
LTSTX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank
LTSTX
PPLIX
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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 | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.32 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.50 | 2.51 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.09 | 11.05 | +0.04 |
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Drawdowns
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LTSTX drawdown since its inception was -48.17%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTSTX and PPLIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LTSTX | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.17% | -55.61% | +7.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.24% | -8.57% | +3.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.12% | -15.59% | +7.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.01% | -26.85% | +5.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -23.33% | -32.67% | +9.34% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.26% | -0.61% | +0.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.14% | -8.29% | +2.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.18% | 1.95% | -0.77% |
Volatility
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) is 2.81%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 4.79%. This indicates that LTSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LTSTX | PPLIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.81% | 4.79% | -1.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.88% | 10.10% | -4.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.03% | 12.23% | -5.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.23% | 15.58% | -6.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.84% | 15.63% | -5.79% |
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both LTSTX and PPLIX have an expense ratio of 0.01%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
LTSTX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison
LTSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.62%, more than PPLIX's 9.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund | 11.62% | 12.19% | 9.74% | 4.26% | 8.00% | 7.66% | 5.25% | 6.91% | 6.39% | 4.75% | 3.65% | 8.91% |
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund | 9.15% | 9.95% | 11.56% | 4.41% | 9.40% | 8.04% | 5.23% | 7.16% | 8.64% | 5.12% | 4.82% | 6.07% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, LTSTX and PPLIX 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.
PPLIX has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to LTSTX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTSTX dropped -48.17% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.
LTSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.76), 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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