PINIX vs. LTFIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PINIX (Principal International Fund I) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both mutual funds - PINIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Principal, while LTFIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PINIX returned 10.83%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for LTFIX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PINIX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.

Performance

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal International Fund I (PINIX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PINIX achieves a 7.92% return, which is significantly lower than LTFIX's 8.64% return. Over the past 10 years, PINIX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 10.83%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.93% annualized return.

PINIX

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 2.55%
• YTD: 7.92%
• 6M: 8.30%
• 1Y: 25.54%
• 3Y*: 22.55%
• 5Y*: 8.76%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

LTFIX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.44%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 8.07%
• 1Y: 20.87%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 11.93%

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

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PINIX Principal International Fund I	7.92%	35.47%	19.56%	15.88%	-25.29%	12.57%	13.98%	32.11%	-23.68%	38.83%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	8.64%	17.80%	17.28%	20.33%	-18.84%	17.73%	16.47%	27.27%	-9.03%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between PINIX and LTFIX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008	0.89

The correlation between PINIX and LTFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PINIX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PINIX

PINIX Risk / Return Rank: 50
PINIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PINIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

LTFIX

LTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
LTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
LTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
LTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
LTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
LTFIX 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.

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Fund I (PINIX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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.

	PINIX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.75	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.46	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.52	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	11.09	+0.19

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PINIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the LTFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PINIX and LTFIX, 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

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PINIX drawdown since its inception was -61.44%, which is greater than LTFIX's maximum drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PINIX and LTFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PINIX	LTFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.44%	-52.73%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.81%	-8.71%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.11%	-15.70%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.03%	-26.80%	-8.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.57%	-33.50%	-5.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-0.94%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.55%	-7.62%	-6.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.36%	1.98%	+0.38%

Volatility

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal International Fund I (PINIX) has a higher volatility of 6.42% compared to Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) at 4.84%. This indicates that PINIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PINIX	LTFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.42%	4.84%	+1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	10.34%	+2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	12.55%	+2.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.97%	15.57%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.41%	15.88%	+1.53%

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PINIX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

PINIX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison

PINIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, less than LTFIX's 8.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	8.03%	8.73%	8.47%	4.17%	8.60%	5.83%	3.91%	6.03%	6.60%	3.51%	3.99%	4.51%
PINIX Principal International Fund I	3.47%	3.74%	24.40%	2.97%	2.98%	14.41%	6.64%	2.43%	8.13%	1.04%	1.05%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PINIX and LTFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PINIX and LTFIX 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, PINIX or LTFIX?

PINIX has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to LTFIX (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PINIX dropped -61.44% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LTFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.73), 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.