PIPIX vs. PLSAX
PIPIX (Principal Inflation Protection Fund) and PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - PIPIX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Principal, while PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PIPIX returned 2.21%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for PLSAX. Their -0.09 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. PIPIX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for PLSAX.
Performance
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PIPIX achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly lower than PLSAX's 9.18% return. Over the past 10 years, PIPIX has underperformed PLSAX with an annualized return of 2.21%, while PLSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.68% annualized return.
PIPIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -0.39%
- 6M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 0.65%
- 1Y
- 2.06%
- 3Y*
- 3.43%
- 5Y*
- 0.13%
- 10Y*
- 2.21%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.82%
PLSAX
- 1D
- 1.64%
- 1M
- -0.59%
- 6M
- 7.65%
- YTD
- 9.18%
- 1Y
- 20.30%
- 3Y*
- 19.22%
- 5Y*
- 12.59%
- 10Y*
- 14.68%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.01%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PIPIX Principal Inflation Protection Fund | 0.65% | 6.65% | 1.65% | 3.51% | -12.09% | 5.35% | 10.59% | 8.06% | -1.58% | 3.02% |
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A | 9.18% | 17.50% | 26.46% | 25.70% | -18.41% | 27.93% | 17.85% | 30.97% | -4.93% | 21.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between PIPIX and PLSAX is 0.25, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2004 | -0.09 |
The correlation between PIPIX and PLSAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (all time) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PIPIX vs. PLSAX — Risk / Return Rank
PIPIX
PLSAX
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Inflation Protection Fund (PIPIX) 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.
| PIPIX | PLSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.25 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 2.02 | -0.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.41 | 8.64 | -5.24 |
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Drawdowns
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PIPIX drawdown since its inception was -25.31%, smaller than the maximum PLSAX drawdown of -55.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIPIX and PLSAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PIPIX | PLSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.31% | -55.67% | +30.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.92% | -8.94% | +7.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.90% | -18.78% | +14.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.33% | -24.69% | +10.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.33% | -33.79% | +19.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.15% | -2.16% | +1.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.20% | -10.10% | +4.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.72% | 2.08% | -1.36% |
Volatility
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Inflation Protection Fund (PIPIX) is 0.64%, while Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that PIPIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PIPIX | PLSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.64% | 3.42% | -2.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.54% | 10.07% | -7.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.36% | 12.84% | -9.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.94% | 17.03% | -11.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.36% | 17.50% | -12.14% |
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PIPIX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than PLSAX's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
PIPIX vs. PLSAX - Dividend Comparison
PIPIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than PLSAX's 2.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PIPIX Principal Inflation Protection Fund | 4.67% | 4.70% | 3.41% | 3.64% | 6.37% | 7.34% | 1.09% | 1.79% | 3.00% | 2.04% | 0.88% | 0.83% |
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A | 2.52% | 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
PIPIX and PLSAX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PLSAX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PIPIX (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIPIX dropped -25.31% vs PLSAX's -55.67%.
PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.74), 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.
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