PLFMX vs. BSPIX
PLFMX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund) and BSPIX (iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Class) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from Principal and iShares respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLFMX returned 14.99%/yr vs 15.46%/yr for BSPIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLFMX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for BSPIX.
Performance
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLFMX having a 11.40% return and BSPIX slightly higher at 11.65%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFMX having a 14.99% annualized return and BSPIX not far ahead at 15.46%.
PLFMX
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 5.73%
- YTD
- 11.40%
- 6M
- 11.42%
- 1Y
- 28.14%
- 3Y*
- 22.52%
- 5Y*
- 13.80%
- 10Y*
- 14.99%
BSPIX
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 5.79%
- YTD
- 11.65%
- 6M
- 11.68%
- 1Y
- 28.84%
- 3Y*
- 22.63%
- 5Y*
- 14.17%
- 10Y*
- 15.46%
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund | 11.40% | 17.10% | 26.06% | 25.27% | -18.67% | 27.57% | 17.46% | 30.58% | -5.14% | 20.96% |
BSPIX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Class | 11.65% | 17.75% | 24.85% | 26.17% | -18.20% | 28.55% | 18.35% | 31.35% | -4.87% | 21.20% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLFMX and BSPIX 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 | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014 | 0.99 |
The correlation between PLFMX and BSPIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PLFMX vs. BSPIX — Risk / Return Rank
PLFMX
BSPIX
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Class (BSPIX). 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.
| PLFMX | BSPIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.46 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.22 | 3.34 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.99 | 15.58 | -0.58 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PLFMX | BSPIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.45 | 2.51 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 | 0.84 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.86 | 0.86 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.81 | -0.37 |
Drawdowns
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, which is greater than BSPIX's maximum drawdown of -33.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFMX and BSPIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PLFMX | BSPIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.62% | -33.75% | -21.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.00% | -8.91% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.83% | -18.74% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.91% | -24.55% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.80% | -33.75% | -0.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.00% | -3.93% | -6.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.93% | 1.90% | +0.03% |
Volatility
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Volatility Comparison
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Class (BSPIX) 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PLFMX | BSPIX | 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 | 8.99% | 8.97% | +0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.86% | 11.85% | +0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.91% | 16.88% | +0.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.49% | 18.03% | -0.54% |
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than BSPIX's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
PLFMX vs. BSPIX - Dividend Comparison
PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, more than BSPIX's 1.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSPIX iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Class | 1.50% | 1.66% | 1.35% | 1.44% | 1.94% | 1.76% | 1.60% | 1.92% | 1.94% | 1.57% | 2.30% | 2.42% |
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund | 2.16% | 2.41% | 3.77% | 3.62% | 2.28% | 13.02% | 7.02% | 3.28% | 6.80% | 6.44% | 2.66% | 2.07% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, PLFMX and BSPIX 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.
BSPIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to PLFMX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFMX dropped -55.62% vs BSPIX's -33.75%.
BSPIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.45), 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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