PIDIX vs. PLSAX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PIDIX (Principal International Equity Index Fund) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - PIDIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Principal, while PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PIDIX returned 9.40%/yr vs 14.84%/yr for PLSAX. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PIDIX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.

Performance

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) 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, PIDIX achieves a 11.73% return, which is significantly higher than PLSAX's 9.95% return. Over the past 10 years, PIDIX has underperformed PLSAX with an annualized return of 9.40%, while PLSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.84% annualized return.

PIDIX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.24%
• 6M: 5.65%
• YTD: 11.73%
• 1Y: 24.82%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 9.40%
• ALL TIME*: 6.82%

PLSAX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 7.82%
• YTD: 9.95%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 19.61%
• 5Y*: 12.75%
• 10Y*: 14.84%
• ALL TIME*: 8.04%

*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)
PIDIX Principal International Equity Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIDIX Principal International Equity Index Fund	11.73%	31.07%	4.72%	17.87%	-14.43%	11.07%	7.78%	21.42%	-13.57%	24.87%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	9.95%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PIDIX and PLSAX is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.79

The correlation between PIDIX and PLSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PIDIX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIDIX

PIDIX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PIDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
PIDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PIDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PIDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
PIDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) 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.

	PIDIX	PLSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	1.50	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.09	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.27	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	2.16	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.31	9.25	-0.95

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIDIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the PLSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIDIX 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

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIDIX drawdown since its inception was -34.13%, smaller than the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIDIX and PLSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIDIX	PLSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.13%	-55.67%	+21.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.31%	-8.94%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.59%	-18.78%	+5.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.50%	-24.69%	-4.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.13%	-33.79%	-0.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-1.47%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.43%	-10.10%	+2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.08%	+0.91%

Volatility

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal International Equity Index Fund (PIDIX) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) at 3.49%. This indicates that PIDIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIDIX	PLSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	3.49%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.48%	10.09%	+3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.83%	12.85%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.32%	17.02%	-0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.07%	17.51%	-1.44%

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIDIX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIDIX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison

PIDIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, more than PLSAX's 2.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIDIX Principal International Equity Index Fund	3.07%	3.43%	5.85%	3.81%	2.82%	5.14%	2.34%	3.36%	3.91%	3.48%	2.82%	3.67%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.50%	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 PIDIX and PLSAX in my portfolio?

PIDIX and PLSAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIDIX or PLSAX?

PIDIX has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to PLSAX (3.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIDIX dropped -34.13% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 1.50), 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.