PHTYX vs. FWLSX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PHTYX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund) and FWLSX (Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, PHTYX returned 9.48%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for FWLSX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PHTYX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FWLSX.

Performance

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund (PHTYX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund (FWLSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHTYX achieves a 10.01% return, which is significantly lower than FWLSX's 13.43% return.

PHTYX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 4.14%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 25.44%
• 3Y*: 18.38%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: 11.21%

FWLSX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 4.32%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 30.72%
• 3Y*: 21.73%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHTYX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund	10.01%	18.54%	16.13%	19.35%	-18.26%	18.37%	15.78%	24.79%	-9.07%	9.84%
FWLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund	13.43%	22.76%	17.95%	21.00%	-18.55%	16.88%	18.48%	25.96%	-8.33%	10.11%

Correlation

The correlation between PHTYX and FWLSX 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	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2017	0.97

The correlation between PHTYX and FWLSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PHTYX vs. FWLSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHTYX

PHTYX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PHTYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
PHTYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
PHTYX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PHTYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
PHTYX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

FWLSX

FWLSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FWLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FWLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FWLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FWLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FWLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund (PHTYX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund (FWLSX). 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.

	PHTYX	FWLSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.52	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.47	-0.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.47	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.26	3.34	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.94	14.83	+0.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHTYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the FWLSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHTYX and FWLSX, 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

	PHTYX	FWLSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.52	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.74	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.78	-0.08

Drawdowns

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHTYX drawdown since its inception was -30.61%, roughly equal to the maximum FWLSX drawdown of -31.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHTYX and FWLSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHTYX	FWLSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.61%	-31.32%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-9.49%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.25%	-15.38%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.94%	-27.40%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.57%	-5.43%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	2.14%	-0.41%

Volatility

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund (PHTYX) is 3.20%, while Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund (FWLSX) has a volatility of 4.11%. This indicates that PHTYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FWLSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHTYX	FWLSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	4.11%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.68%	10.31%	-1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.92%	12.60%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.56%	15.10%	-0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.81%	16.06%	-1.25%

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHTYX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than FWLSX's 0.00% 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

PHTYX vs. FWLSX - Dividend Comparison

PHTYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, more than FWLSX's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FWLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend 2060 Fund	4.04%	3.14%	7.07%	2.36%	5.59%	9.05%	5.80%	7.02%	8.16%	3.09%	0.00%	0.00%
PHTYX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund	4.49%	4.94%	4.41%	3.05%	9.68%	4.72%	3.45%	3.63%	4.66%	2.24%	2.00%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHTYX and FWLSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PHTYX and FWLSX 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, PHTYX or FWLSX?

FWLSX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to PHTYX (3.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHTYX dropped -30.61% vs FWLSX's -31.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FWLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.40), 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.