MEIKX vs. PLSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MEIKX (MFS Value Fund) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - MEIKX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by MFS, while PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, MEIKX returned 10.06%/yr vs 15.34%/yr for PLSAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MEIKX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.

Performance

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Value Fund (MEIKX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MEIKX achieves a 4.52% return, which is significantly lower than PLSAX's 11.59% return. Over the past 10 years, MEIKX has underperformed PLSAX with an annualized return of 10.06%, while PLSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.34% annualized return.

MEIKX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 4.52%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 13.08%
• 3Y*: 13.32%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

PLSAX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.77%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 5Y*: 14.17%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

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

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	4.52%	13.37%	11.98%	8.32%	-5.92%	25.59%	4.09%	30.18%	-9.81%	17.26%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	11.59%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%

Correlation

The correlation between MEIKX and PLSAX is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between MEIKX and PLSAX has dropped to 0.57 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MEIKX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MEIKX

MEIKX Risk / Return Rank: 23
MEIKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
MEIKX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MEIKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
MEIKX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Value Fund (MEIKX) and Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX). 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.

	MEIKX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	2.49	-1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	3.39	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.45	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	3.30	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.87	15.41	-8.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MEIKX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the PLSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MEIKX and PLSAX, 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

	MEIKX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	2.49	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.84	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.88	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.43	-0.03

Drawdowns

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEIKX drawdown since its inception was -56.81%, roughly equal to the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEIKX and PLSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEIKX	PLSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.81%	-55.67%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.76%	-8.94%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.15%	-18.78%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.50%	-24.69%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.68%	-33.79%	-2.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.80%	0.00%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-10.15%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.91%	+0.04%

Volatility

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Value Fund (MEIKX) is 2.35%, while Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that MEIKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MEIKX	PLSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.35%	2.82%	-0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.75%	8.96%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.37%	11.84%	-1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	16.91%	-3.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	17.50%	-0.95%

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MEIKX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

MEIKX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison

MEIKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.50%, more than PLSAX's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MEIKX MFS Value Fund	9.50%	9.72%	9.49%	8.58%	7.77%	3.43%	2.75%	3.28%	3.76%	4.14%	3.84%	6.12%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.47%	2.75%	4.07%	3.90%	2.70%	13.38%	7.35%	3.57%	7.19%	6.72%	2.93%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MEIKX and PLSAX in my portfolio?

MEIKX and PLSAX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MEIKX or PLSAX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to MEIKX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEIKX dropped -56.81% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.29), 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.