PLFIX vs. SWPPX
PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) and SWPPX (Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - PLFIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SWPPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLFIX returned 15.64%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for SWPPX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLFIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SWPPX.
Performance
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLFIX having a 11.68% return and SWPPX slightly higher at 11.69%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFIX having a 15.64% annualized return and SWPPX not far behind at 15.63%.
PLFIX
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 5.79%
- YTD
- 11.68%
- 6M
- 11.75%
- 1Y
- 28.92%
- 3Y*
- 23.21%
- 5Y*
- 14.45%
- 10Y*
- 15.64%
SWPPX
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- 5.83%
- YTD
- 11.69%
- 6M
- 11.71%
- 1Y
- 28.97%
- 3Y*
- 22.73%
- 5Y*
- 14.26%
- 10Y*
- 15.63%
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 11.68% | 17.77% | 26.77% | 26.00% | -18.21% | 28.25% | 18.11% | 31.35% | -4.66% | 21.65% |
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund | 11.69% | 17.87% | 24.96% | 26.26% | -18.14% | 28.67% | 18.38% | 31.46% | -4.47% | 21.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLFIX and SWPPX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2001 | 0.99 |
The correlation between PLFIX and SWPPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
PLFIX vs. SWPPX — Risk / Return Rank
PLFIX
SWPPX
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - 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 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). 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.
| PLFIX | SWPPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.46 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.34 | 3.36 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.63 | 15.67 | -0.04 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PLFIX | SWPPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.52 | 2.52 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.86 | 0.85 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 | 0.86 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.51 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLFIX drawdown since its inception was -55.28%, roughly equal to the maximum SWPPX drawdown of -55.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFIX and SWPPX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| PLFIX | SWPPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.28% | -55.06% | -0.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -8.89% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.77% | -18.74% | -0.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.58% | -24.51% | -0.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.77% | -33.80% | +0.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.86% | -9.95% | +1.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.90% | 1.90% | 0.00% |
Volatility
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Volatility Comparison
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) have volatilities of 2.82% and 2.83%, 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 charts...
Volatility by Period
| PLFIX | SWPPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.82% | 2.83% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.96% | 8.98% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.84% | 11.87% | -0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.91% | 16.93% | -0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.52% | 18.23% | -0.71% |
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLFIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than SWPPX's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
PLFIX vs. SWPPX - Dividend Comparison
PLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, more than SWPPX's 0.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 2.64% | 2.95% | 4.28% | 4.13% | 2.96% | 13.60% | 7.57% | 3.83% | 7.52% | 7.01% | 3.23% | 2.69% |
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund | 0.99% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.43% | 1.67% | 1.27% | 1.81% | 1.95% | 2.67% | 1.79% | 2.55% | 3.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, PLFIX and SWPPX 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.
SWPPX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to PLFIX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFIX dropped -55.28% vs SWPPX's -55.06%.
PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.52), 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.
Find the right allocation for PLFIX and SWPPX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer