PHTNX vs. PLSAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PHTNX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - PHTNX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PHTNX returned 8.37%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PLSAX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PHTNX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.

Performance

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund (PHTNX) 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, PHTNX achieves a 6.05% return, which is significantly lower than PLSAX's 9.18% return. Over the past 10 years, PHTNX has underperformed PLSAX with an annualized return of 8.37%, while PLSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.

PHTNX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: 4.02%
• YTD: 6.05%
• 1Y: 13.80%
• 3Y*: 11.69%
• 5Y*: 5.98%
• 10Y*: 8.37%
• ALL TIME*: 7.94%

PLSAX

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -0.59%
• 6M: 7.65%
• YTD: 9.18%
• 1Y: 20.30%
• 3Y*: 19.22%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 14.68%
• ALL TIME*: 8.01%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PHTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund	6.05%	14.41%	11.06%	14.92%	-16.76%	13.88%	14.74%	20.92%	-7.30%	16.81%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	9.18%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PHTNX and PLSAX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.94

The correlation between PHTNX and PLSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PHTNX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PHTNX

PHTNX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PHTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PHTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
PHTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
PHTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PHTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund (PHTNX) 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.

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.

	PHTNX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.40	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.97	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	2.02	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	8.64	+0.93

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHTNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the PLSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHTNX 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.

Drawdowns

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHTNX drawdown since its inception was -24.52%, smaller than the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHTNX and PLSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHTNX	PLSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.52%	-55.67%	+31.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.79%	-8.94%	+3.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.07%	-18.78%	+8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.06%	-24.69%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.52%	-33.79%	+9.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-2.16%	+1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.94%	-10.10%	+6.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	2.08%	-0.73%

Volatility

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund (PHTNX) is 2.27%, while Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that PHTNX 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

	PHTNX	PLSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.27%	3.42%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.96%	10.07%	-3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.39%	12.84%	-4.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.59%	17.03%	-6.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.19%	17.50%	-6.31%

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHTNX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHTNX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison

PHTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, more than PLSAX's 2.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHTNX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund	4.35%	4.62%	3.71%	3.42%	8.05%	5.40%	4.44%	3.70%	3.79%	2.52%	2.28%	1.68%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.52%	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 PHTNX and PLSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PHTNX and PLSAX 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, PHTNX or PLSAX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PHTNX (2.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHTNX dropped -24.52% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.40), 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.