LTSTX vs. SACAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) and SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) are both mutual funds - LTSTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX returned 8.05%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for SACAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. LTSTX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SACAX.

Performance

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) and Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LTSTX achieves a 5.20% return, which is significantly lower than SACAX's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, LTSTX has underperformed SACAX with an annualized return of 8.05%, while SACAX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.25% annualized return.

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

SACAX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 4.86%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 12.35%
• 1Y: 25.25%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: 11.11%
• 10Y*: 12.25%

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

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	5.20%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	11.70%	16.56%	24.20%	21.42%	-19.06%	19.34%	15.11%	26.87%	-9.13%	21.68%

Correlation

The correlation between LTSTX and SACAX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2008	0.97

The correlation between LTSTX and SACAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LTSTX vs. SACAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SACAX

SACAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
SACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. SACAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) and Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). 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.

	LTSTX	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.22	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.10	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.41	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	2.92	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	13.07	-1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LTSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the SACAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LTSTX and SACAX, 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

	LTSTX	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.22	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.71	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.77	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.48	0.00

Drawdowns

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LTSTX drawdown since its inception was -48.17%, smaller than the maximum SACAX drawdown of -54.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LTSTX and SACAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LTSTX	SACAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.17%	-54.31%	+6.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.24%	-8.85%	+3.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.12%	-15.88%	+7.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	-26.96%	+5.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.33%	-34.90%	+11.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-9.79%	+3.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	1.97%	-0.81%

Volatility

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) is 2.02%, while Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) has a volatility of 3.34%. This indicates that LTSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SACAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LTSTX	SACAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.02%	3.34%	-1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.39%	9.29%	-3.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.64%	11.60%	-4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.18%	15.63%	-6.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.83%	16.05%	-6.22%

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LTSTX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than SACAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

LTSTX vs. SACAX - Dividend Comparison

LTSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.59%, more than SACAX's 10.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.59%	12.19%	9.74%	4.26%	8.00%	7.66%	5.25%	6.91%	6.39%	4.75%	3.65%	8.91%
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	10.74%	11.99%	13.37%	1.16%	9.30%	7.53%	4.02%	4.47%	20.79%	6.82%	3.68%	14.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LTSTX and SACAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, LTSTX and SACAX 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, LTSTX or SACAX?

SACAX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to LTSTX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LTSTX dropped -48.17% vs SACAX's -54.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SACAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.11), 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.