PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
PLFIX vs. MSXAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

PLFIX vs. MSXAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX).

PLFIX is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Mar 1, 2001. MSXAX is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 2, 2004. Both PLFIX and MSXAX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional		-7.07%17.77%26.77%26.00%-18.21%28.25%18.11%31.35%-4.66%21.65%
MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A		-7.16%17.26%23.98%25.96%-18.52%28.13%17.86%30.69%-4.71%21.07%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PLFIX having a -7.07% return and MSXAX slightly lower at -7.16%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFIX having a 13.72% annualized return and MSXAX not far behind at 13.18%.

PLFIX

1D
-0.40%
1M
-7.67%
YTD
-7.07%
6M
-4.61%
1Y
14.37%
3Y*
17.60%
5Y*
11.56%
10Y*
13.72%

MSXAX

1D
-0.40%
1M
-7.71%
YTD
-7.16%
6M
-4.84%
1Y
13.86%
3Y*
16.56%
5Y*
10.85%
10Y*
13.18%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A

Often compared with PLFIX:
PLFIX vs. VOOPLFIX vs. SACAXPLFIX vs. BXMXPLFIX vs. PSMIXPLFIX vs. PTEAXPLFIX vs. BSPIXPLFIX vs. PLGIX
Often compared with MSXAX:
MSXAX vs. MLAAXMSXAX vs. VOOMSXAX vs. IQHIMSXAX vs. VVIAXMSXAX vs. VIGAXMSXAX vs. KLGAXMSXAX vs. SCSAX

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLFIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than MSXAX's 0.52% expense ratio.

MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

Return for Risk

PLFIX vs. MSXAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PLFIX
PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
MSXAX
MSXAX Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
MSXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MSXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
MSXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
MSXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3535
Calmar Ratio Rank
MSXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX). 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.

PLFIXMSXAXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.85

0.81

+0.04

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.33

1.26

+0.08

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.19

+0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.05

0.95

+0.10

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.14

4.60

+0.54

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLFIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the MSXAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLFIX and MSXAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

PLFIXMSXAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.85

0.81

+0.04

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.69

0.65

+0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.73

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.45

0.51

-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between PLFIX and MSXAX is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Dividend Comparison

PLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than MSXAX's 1.14% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional		3.17%2.95%4.28%4.13%2.96%13.60%7.57%3.83%7.52%7.01%3.23%2.69%
MSXAX
NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A		1.14%1.06%5.20%4.04%10.30%4.44%8.78%17.42%14.49%15.18%9.63%5.53%

Drawdowns

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLFIX drawdown since its inception was -55.28%, roughly equal to the maximum MSXAX drawdown of -55.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFIX and MSXAX.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

PLFIXMSXAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.28%

-55.48%

+0.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.13%

-12.11%

-0.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.58%

-24.78%

+0.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.77%

-33.79%

+0.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-8.90%

-8.97%

+0.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.91%

-7.21%

-1.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.48%

2.58%

-0.10%

Volatility

PLFIX vs. MSXAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) and NYLI S&P 500 Index Class A (MSXAX) have volatilities of 4.24% and 4.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

PLFIXMSXAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.24%

4.24%

0.00%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.06%

9.09%

-0.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.85%

18.13%

-0.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.87%

16.87%

0.00%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.48%

18.03%

-0.55%