MXBSX vs. LTFIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

MXBSX (Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, MXBSX returned 10.74%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for LTFIX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MXBSX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.

Performance

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund (MXBSX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MXBSX achieves a 10.86% return, which is significantly higher than LTFIX's 8.64% return. Over the past 10 years, MXBSX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 10.74%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.93% annualized return.

MXBSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.13%
• 1Y: 23.08%
• 3Y*: 16.21%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

LTFIX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.44%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 8.07%
• 1Y: 20.87%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

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

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MXBSX Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund	10.86%	17.70%	11.16%	17.79%	-16.61%	16.82%	13.96%	26.31%	-10.30%	20.41%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	8.64%	17.80%	17.28%	20.33%	-18.84%	17.73%	16.47%	27.27%	-9.03%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between MXBSX and LTFIX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2016	0.83

The correlation between MXBSX and LTFIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (10 years) to 0.93 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MXBSX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MXBSX

MXBSX Risk / Return Rank: 52
MXBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
MXBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
MXBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
MXBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MXBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

LTFIX

LTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
LTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
LTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
LTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
LTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
LTFIX 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.

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund (MXBSX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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.

	MXBSX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.75	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.46	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.52	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.34	11.09	+0.25

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MXBSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the LTFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MXBSX and LTFIX, 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

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MXBSX drawdown since its inception was -31.88%, smaller than the maximum LTFIX drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MXBSX and LTFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MXBSX	LTFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.88%	-52.73%	+20.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.80%	-8.71%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.76%	-15.70%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.68%	-26.80%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.88%	-33.50%	+1.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.94%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.91%	-7.62%	+1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.98%	+0.15%

Volatility

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund (MXBSX) is 4.33%, while Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) has a volatility of 4.84%. This indicates that MXBSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MXBSX	LTFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.33%	4.84%	-0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.64%	10.34%	-0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.83%	12.55%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.97%	15.57%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	15.88%	+0.52%

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MXBSX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MXBSX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison

MXBSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, less than LTFIX's 8.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	8.03%	8.73%	8.47%	4.17%	8.60%	5.83%	3.91%	6.03%	6.60%	3.51%	3.99%	4.51%
MXBSX Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund	4.75%	5.27%	7.38%	5.63%	10.66%	11.14%	6.57%	9.46%	8.18%	3.54%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MXBSX and LTFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, MXBSX and LTFIX 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, MXBSX or LTFIX?

LTFIX has higher volatility (4.84%) compared to MXBSX (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MXBSX dropped -31.88% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MXBSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.75), 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.