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PLFMX vs. PLFIX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

PLFMX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX).

PLFMX is a passively managed fund by Principal that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Dec 6, 2000. 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. Both PLFMX and PLFIX 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

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

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

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PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
PLFMX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund		-7.21%17.10%26.06%25.27%-18.67%27.57%17.46%30.58%-5.14%20.96%
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%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLFMX having a -7.21% return and PLFIX slightly higher at -7.07%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFMX having a 13.08% annualized return and PLFIX not far ahead at 13.72%.

PLFMX

1D
-0.40%
1M
-7.72%
YTD
-7.21%
6M
-4.88%
1Y
13.70%
3Y*
16.94%
5Y*
10.93%
10Y*
13.08%

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%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund

Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

Often compared with PLFMX:
PLFMX vs. TWCUXPLFMX vs. VIGRXPLFMX vs. VTIPLFMX vs. VFIAXPLFMX vs. SPYGPLFMX vs. PLSAXPLFMX vs. VOO
Often compared with PLFIX:
PLFIX vs. VOOPLFIX vs. SACAXPLFIX vs. PTEAXPLFIX vs. BXMXPLFIX vs. PSMIXPLFIX vs. BSPIXPLFIX vs. PLGIX

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

PLFMX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund
PLFIX
Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional

Return for Risk

PLFMX vs. PLFIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PLFMX
PLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
PLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
PLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 4343
Omega Ratio Rank
PLFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
PLFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
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
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.

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

PLFMXPLFIXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.81

0.85

-0.04

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.28

1.33

-0.05

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.20

-0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.00

1.05

-0.06

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

4.83

5.14

-0.31

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

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

PLFMXPLFIXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.81

0.85

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

0.69

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

0.79

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.40

0.45

-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between PLFMX and PLFIX is 1.00, 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

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than PLFIX's 3.17% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
PLFMX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund		2.59%2.41%3.77%3.62%2.28%13.02%7.02%3.28%6.80%6.44%2.66%2.07%
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%

Drawdowns

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, roughly equal to the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFMX and PLFIX.

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Drawdown Indicators

PLFMXPLFIXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.62%

-55.28%

-0.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.14%

-12.13%

-0.01%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.91%

-24.58%

-0.33%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.80%

-33.77%

-0.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.00%

-8.90%

-0.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.06%

-8.91%

-1.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.50%

2.48%

+0.02%

Volatility

PLFMX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) have volatilities of 4.25% 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.

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Volatility by Period

PLFMXPLFIXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.25%

4.24%

+0.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.10%

9.06%

+0.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.88%

17.85%

+0.03%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.88%

16.87%

+0.01%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.45%

17.48%

-0.03%