PLFMX vs. SACAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLFMX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund) and SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) are both mutual funds - PLFMX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLFMX returned 14.99%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for SACAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLFMX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SACAX.

Performance

PLFMX vs. SACAX - 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 SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PLFMX having a 11.40% return and SACAX slightly higher at 11.70%. Over the past 10 years, PLFMX has outperformed SACAX with an annualized return of 14.99%, while SACAX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.25% annualized return.

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%

SACAX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 4.86%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 12.35%
• 1Y: 25.25%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: 11.11%
• 10Y*: 12.25%

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

PLFMX vs. SACAX - 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%
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	11.70%	16.56%	24.20%	21.42%	-19.06%	19.34%	15.11%	26.87%	-9.13%	21.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PLFMX and SACAX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2000	0.97

The correlation between PLFMX and SACAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLFMX vs. SACAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PLFMX

PLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
PLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PLFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
PLFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SACAX

SACAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
SACAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SACAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SACAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SACAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SACAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. SACAX - 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 SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). 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	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.22	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.10	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.41	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	2.92	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.99	13.07	+1.93
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. SACAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLFMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the SACAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLFMX and SACAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLFMX	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.22	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.71	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.77	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.48	-0.04

Drawdowns

PLFMX vs. SACAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, roughly equal to the maximum SACAX drawdown of -54.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFMX and SACAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLFMX	SACAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.62%	-54.31%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.00%	-8.85%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.83%	-15.88%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.91%	-26.96%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.80%	-34.90%	+1.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.00%	-9.79%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.97%	-0.04%

Volatility

PLFMX vs. SACAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) is 2.82%, while Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) has a volatility of 3.34%. This indicates that PLFMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SACAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLFMX	SACAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	3.34%	-0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	9.29%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.86%	11.60%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	15.63%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.49%	16.05%	+1.44%

PLFMX vs. SACAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than SACAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLFMX vs. SACAX - Dividend Comparison

PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than SACAX's 10.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SACAX Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio	10.74%	11.99%	13.37%	1.16%	9.30%	7.53%	4.02%	4.47%	20.79%	6.82%	3.68%	14.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLFMX and SACAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PLFMX and SACAX 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.

Which is riskier, PLFMX or SACAX?

SACAX has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to PLFMX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFMX dropped -55.62% vs SACAX's -54.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.22), 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.