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MSXAX vs. PLFIX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

MSXAX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX).

MSXAX is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 2, 2004. PLFIX is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Mar 1, 2001. Both MSXAX and PLFIX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A		-4.45%17.26%23.98%25.96%-18.52%28.13%17.86%30.69%-4.71%21.07%
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional		-4.36%17.77%26.77%26.00%-18.21%28.25%18.11%31.35%-4.66%21.65%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MSXAX having a -4.45% return and PLFIX slightly higher at -4.36%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MSXAX having a 13.51% annualized return and PLFIX not far ahead at 14.05%.

MSXAX

1D
2.92%
1M
-5.05%
YTD
-4.45%
6M
-2.39%
1Y
16.74%
3Y*
17.69%
5Y*
11.23%
10Y*
13.51%

PLFIX

1D
2.93%
1M
-5.03%
YTD
-4.36%
6M
-2.15%
1Y
17.24%
3Y*
18.74%
5Y*
11.94%
10Y*
14.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A

Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

Often compared with MSXAX:
MSXAX vs. MLAAXMSXAX vs. VOOMSXAX vs. IQHIMSXAX vs. VVIAXMSXAX vs. VIGAXMSXAX vs. KLGAXMSXAX vs. SCSAX
Often compared with PLFIX:
PLFIX vs. VOOPLFIX vs. SACAXPLFIX vs. BXMXPLFIX vs. PSMIXPLFIX vs. PTEAXPLFIX vs. BSPIXPLFIX vs. PLGIX

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSXAX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

Return for Risk

MSXAX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MSXAX
MSXAX Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
MSXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MSXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
MSXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
MSXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
MSXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
PLFIX
PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 6363
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). 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.

MSXAXPLFIXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.95

0.99

-0.04

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.45

1.54

-0.08

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.23

-0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.28

1.51

-0.23

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

6.10

7.32

-1.21

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSXAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is comparable to the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSXAX and PLFIX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

MSXAXPLFIXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.95

0.99

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.67

0.71

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

0.81

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.52

0.45

+0.07

Correlation

The correlation between MSXAX and PLFIX is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

MSXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, less than PLFIX's 3.08% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A		1.11%1.06%5.20%4.04%10.30%4.44%8.78%17.42%14.49%15.18%9.63%5.53%
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional		3.08%2.95%4.28%4.13%2.96%13.60%7.57%3.83%7.52%7.01%3.23%2.69%

Drawdowns

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSXAX drawdown since its inception was -55.48%, roughly equal to the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSXAX and PLFIX.

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Drawdown Indicators

MSXAXPLFIXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.48%

-55.28%

-0.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.11%

-12.13%

+0.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.78%

-24.58%

-0.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.79%

-33.77%

-0.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.31%

-6.24%

-0.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.21%

-8.91%

+1.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.54%

2.51%

+0.03%

Volatility

MSXAX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 5.35% and 5.35%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MSXAXPLFIXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.35%

5.35%

0.00%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.53%

9.51%

+0.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.32%

18.05%

+0.27%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.92%

16.92%

0.00%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.06%

17.50%

+0.56%