PINIX vs. PBCKX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PINIX (Principal International Fund I) and PBCKX (Principal Blue Chip Fund) are both mutual funds - PINIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Principal, while PBCKX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PINIX returned 10.25%/yr vs 16.51%/yr for PBCKX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PINIX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for PBCKX.

Performance

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PINIX achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly higher than PBCKX's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, PINIX has underperformed PBCKX with an annualized return of 10.25%, while PBCKX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.51% annualized return.

PINIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 6.21%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 27.17%
• 3Y*: 23.05%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

PBCKX

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 0.06%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 18.79%
• 5Y*: 9.06%
• 10Y*: 16.51%

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

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PINIX Principal International Fund I	9.32%	35.47%	19.56%	15.88%	-25.29%	12.57%	13.98%	32.11%	-23.68%	38.83%
PBCKX Principal Blue Chip Fund	0.26%	9.20%	26.90%	40.58%	-30.74%	25.05%	34.77%	45.22%	2.83%	28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between PINIX and PBCKX is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2012	0.75

The correlation between PINIX and PBCKX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PINIX vs. PBCKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PINIX

PINIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PINIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PINIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PINIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PINIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PBCKX

PBCKX Risk / Return Rank: 4
PBCKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PBCKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PBCKX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PBCKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PBCKX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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. PBCKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal International Fund I (PINIX) and Principal Blue Chip Fund (PBCKX). 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.

	PINIX	PBCKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.33	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	0.54	+2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.07	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	0.26	+2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.76	0.79	+10.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PINIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the PBCKX Sharpe Ratio of 0.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PINIX and PBCKX, 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

	PINIX	PBCKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	0.33	+1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.45	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.82	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.86	-0.48

Drawdowns

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PINIX drawdown since its inception was -61.44%, which is greater than PBCKX's maximum drawdown of -38.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PINIX and PBCKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PINIX	PBCKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.44%	-38.00%	-23.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.81%	-19.10%	+10.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.11%	-19.10%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.34%	-38.00%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.57%	-38.00%	-0.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.54%	+3.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.58%	-5.65%	-8.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	6.26%	-3.97%

Volatility

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Volatility Comparison

Principal International Fund I (PINIX) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to Principal Blue Chip Fund (PBCKX) at 3.67%. This indicates that PINIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBCKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PINIX	PBCKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	3.67%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	12.17%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	15.12%	-0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	20.35%	-3.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.37%	20.21%	-2.84%

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PINIX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PBCKX's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

PINIX vs. PBCKX - Dividend Comparison

PINIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, less than PBCKX's 19.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBCKX Principal Blue Chip Fund	19.89%	19.94%	9.01%	0.51%	0.71%	6.67%	3.28%	8.90%	7.86%	2.79%	1.01%	2.40%
PINIX Principal International Fund I	3.42%	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 PBCKX in my portfolio?

PINIX and PBCKX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PINIX or PBCKX?

PINIX has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to PBCKX (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PINIX dropped -61.44% vs PBCKX's -38.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PINIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.33), 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.