PHTTX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PHTTX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from Principal. Over the past 10 years, PHTTX returned 7.03%/yr vs 7.31%/yr for PLWIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PHTTX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund (PHTTX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHTTX achieves a 5.15% return, which is significantly higher than PLWIX's 4.37% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PHTTX having a 7.03% annualized return and PLWIX not far ahead at 7.31%.

PHTTX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: 5.15%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 14.09%
• 3Y*: 10.93%
• 5Y*: 4.99%
• 10Y*: 7.03%

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 4.66%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: 7.31%

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

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHTTX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund	5.15%	12.10%	8.85%	12.06%	-14.36%	9.94%	12.63%	17.17%	-5.44%	13.51%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.37%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between PHTTX and PLWIX is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.98

The correlation between PHTTX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PHTTX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHTTX

PHTTX Risk / Return Rank: 70
PHTTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
PHTTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PHTTX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
PHTTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PHTTX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
PLWIX 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.

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund (PHTTX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). 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.

	PHTTX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.04	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.95	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.39	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.53	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.72	11.30	+2.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHTTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHTTX and PLWIX, 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

	PHTTX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.04	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.64	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.86	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.53	+0.23

Drawdowns

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHTTX drawdown since its inception was -18.94%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHTTX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHTTX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.94%	-49.07%	+30.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.62%	-4.75%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.20%	-6.97%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.90%	-19.73%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.94%	-20.29%	+1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.24%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.30%	-5.72%	+2.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	1.06%	-0.04%

Volatility

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund (PHTTX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) have volatilities of 1.99% and 1.93%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	PHTTX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	1.93%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.84%	4.80%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	5.92%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.03%	8.24%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.55%	8.56%	-0.01%

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHTTX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX'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

PHTTX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

PHTTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.82%, less than PLWIX's 9.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHTTX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund	5.82%	6.12%	3.67%	3.46%	7.03%	5.97%	4.75%	3.12%	3.36%	2.52%	2.13%	1.64%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.66%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHTTX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PHTTX and PLWIX 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, PHTTX or PLWIX?

PHTTX has higher volatility (1.99%) compared to PLWIX (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHTTX dropped -18.94% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHTTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.04), 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.