PDHJX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PDHJX (Prudential Day One 2040 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, PDHJX returned 11.84%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PDHJX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Prudential Day One 2040 Fund (PDHJX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDHJX achieves a 10.13% return, which is significantly higher than PPLIX's 8.79% return.

PDHJX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 6M: 9.89%
• 1Y: 22.14%
• 3Y*: 20.11%
• 5Y*: 11.84%
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDHJX Prudential Day One 2040 Fund	10.13%	16.40%	27.24%	16.15%	-14.36%	18.30%	11.03%	22.91%	-7.24%	18.62%
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 PDHJX 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	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.96

The correlation between PDHJX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDHJX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDHJX

PDHJX Risk / Return Rank: 71
PDHJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PDHJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
PDHJX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PDHJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
PDHJX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PPLIX 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.

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Prudential Day One 2040 Fund (PDHJX) 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.

	PDHJX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	1.76	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.47	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	2.51	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.65	11.05	+2.60

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDHJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDHJX and PPLIX, 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

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDHJX drawdown since its inception was -30.28%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDHJX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDHJX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.28%	-55.61%	+25.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.23%	-8.57%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.20%	-15.59%	+3.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.18%	-26.85%	+5.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.61%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-8.29%	+4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	1.95%	-0.34%

Volatility

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Prudential Day One 2040 Fund (PDHJX) is 3.83%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 4.79%. This indicates that PDHJX 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.

Volatility by Period

	PDHJX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	4.79%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.18%	10.10%	-1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.82%	12.23%	-2.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.71%	15.58%	-1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.01%	15.63%	-1.62%

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDHJX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PDHJX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

PDHJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, less than PPLIX's 9.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDHJX Prudential Day One 2040 Fund	4.21%	4.64%	27.63%	4.01%	9.43%	10.33%	2.22%	5.39%	5.02%	2.18%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both PDHJX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PDHJX 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.

Which is riskier, PDHJX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to PDHJX (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDHJX dropped -30.28% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDHJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 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.