PLFIX vs. VOO
PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from Principal and Vanguard respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLFIX returned 15.13%/yr vs 15.17%/yr for VOO. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PLFIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
PLFIX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PLFIX achieves a 10.07% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFIX having a 15.13% annualized return and VOO not far ahead at 15.17%.
PLFIX
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 7.94%
- YTD
- 10.07%
- 1Y
- 21.40%
- 3Y*
- 19.88%
- 5Y*
- 13.01%
- 10Y*
- 15.13%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.08%
VOO
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- YTD
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 23.30%
- 3Y*
- 20.85%
- 5Y*
- 13.12%
- 10Y*
- 15.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $3.97B | $3.80B | $5.49B |
PLFIX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 10.07% | 17.77% | 26.77% | 26.00% | -18.21% | 28.25% | 18.11% | 31.35% | -4.66% | 21.65% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 11.72% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLFIX and VOO is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.99 |
The correlation between PLFIX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PLFIX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
PLFIX
VOO
PLFIX vs. VOO - 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 Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.
| PLFIX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.33 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.20 | 2.63 | -0.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.42 | 11.23 | -1.82 |
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Drawdowns
PLFIX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLFIX drawdown since its inception was -55.28%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFIX and VOO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PLFIX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.28% | -33.99% | -21.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -8.90% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.77% | -18.69% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.58% | -24.52% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.77% | -33.99% | +0.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.44% | 0.00% | -1.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.81% | -3.67% | -5.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.07% | 2.08% | -0.01% |
Volatility
PLFIX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) is 3.54%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.81%. This indicates that PLFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PLFIX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.54% | 3.81% | -0.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.13% | 10.18% | -0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.87% | 12.80% | +0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.02% | 16.95% | +0.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.52% | 18.02% | -0.50% |
PLFIX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLFIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% 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. VOO - Dividend Comparison
PLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional | 2.68% | 2.95% | 4.28% | 4.13% | 2.96% | 13.60% | 7.57% | 3.83% | 7.52% | 7.01% | 3.23% | 2.69% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, PLFIX and VOO 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.
VOO has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to PLFIX (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFIX dropped -55.28% vs VOO's -33.99%.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.52), 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.
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