PLFMX vs. VTI
PLFMX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - PLFMX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLFMX returned 15.12%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VTI. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PLFMX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
PLFMX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PLFMX achieves a 9.46% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 8.82% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFMX having a 15.12% annualized return and VTI not far ahead at 15.14%.
PLFMX
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 0.06%
- YTD
- 9.46%
- 6M
- 8.46%
- 1Y
- 24.74%
- 3Y*
- 21.18%
- 5Y*
- 13.13%
- 10Y*
- 15.12%
VTI
- 1D
- -1.39%
- 1M
- -0.84%
- YTD
- 8.82%
- 6M
- 7.71%
- 1Y
- 24.22%
- 3Y*
- 20.62%
- 5Y*
- 11.90%
- 10Y*
- 15.14%
PLFMX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund | 9.46% | 17.10% | 26.06% | 25.27% | -18.67% | 27.57% | 17.46% | 30.58% | -5.14% | 20.96% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 8.82% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between PLFMX and VTI is 0.99 - 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 | 0.99 |
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 May 31, 2001 | 0.98 |
The correlation between PLFMX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PLFMX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
PLFMX
VTI
PLFMX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.
| PLFMX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.34 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.89 | 2.73 | +0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.00 | 12.14 | +0.86 |
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Drawdowns
PLFMX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PLFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFMX and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PLFMX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.62% | -55.45% | -0.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.00% | -8.92% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.83% | -19.30% | +0.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.91% | -25.36% | +0.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.80% | -35.00% | +1.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.74% | -2.85% | +1.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.98% | -8.01% | -1.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.00% |
Volatility
PLFMX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) is 4.68%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that PLFMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PLFMX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.68% | 4.95% | -0.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.85% | 10.05% | -0.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.50% | 12.83% | -0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.01% | 17.51% | -0.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.54% | 18.32% | -0.78% |
PLFMX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
PLFMX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.20%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund | 2.20% | 2.41% | 3.77% | 3.62% | 2.28% | 13.02% | 7.02% | 3.28% | 6.80% | 6.44% | 2.66% | 2.07% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, PLFMX and VTI 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.
VTI has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to PLFMX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFMX dropped -55.62% vs VTI's -55.45%.
PLFMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.90), 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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