PLFMX vs. VTI
Compare and contrast key facts about Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI).
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. VTI is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. It was launched on Jun 27, 2016. Both PLFMX and VTI 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. VTI - Performance Comparison
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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 | -4.50% | 17.10% | 26.06% | 25.27% | -18.67% | 27.57% | 17.46% | 30.58% | -5.14% | 20.96% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | -3.29% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PLFMX achieves a -4.50% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's -3.29% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFMX having a 13.41% annualized return and VTI not far ahead at 13.69%.
PLFMX
- 1D
- 2.92%
- 1M
- -5.08%
- YTD
- -4.50%
- 6M
- -2.43%
- 1Y
- 16.59%
- 3Y*
- 18.07%
- 5Y*
- 11.31%
- 10Y*
- 13.41%
VTI
- 1D
- 0.76%
- 1M
- -4.38%
- YTD
- -3.29%
- 6M
- -1.26%
- 1Y
- 18.60%
- 3Y*
- 18.14%
- 5Y*
- 10.63%
- 10Y*
- 13.69%
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PLFMX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
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.
| PLFMX | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.95 | 0.98 | -0.04 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.48 | 1.52 | -0.04 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.23 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.46 | 1.54 | -0.09 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.97 | 7.30 | -0.33 |
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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 | 0.98 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.67 | 0.61 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.77 | 0.75 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.40 | 0.48 | -0.07 |
Correlation
The correlation between PLFMX and VTI is 0.98, 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison
PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than VTI's 1.17% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLFMX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund | 2.52% | 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 | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
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 | -12.14% | -12.30% | +0.16% |
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 | -6.34% | -5.54% | -0.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.06% | -8.08% | -1.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.53% | 2.60% | -0.07% |
Volatility
PLFMX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 5.35% and 5.48%, 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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.35% | 5.48% | -0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.55% | 9.75% | -0.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.07% | 19.02% | -0.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.93% | 17.41% | -0.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 18.29% | -0.82% |