PLGIX vs. CMNWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLGIX (Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I) and CMNWX (Principal Capital Appreciation Fund) are both mutual funds - PLGIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal, while CMNWX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX returned 20.21%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for CMNWX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLGIX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for CMNWX.

Performance

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) and Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLGIX achieves a 6.11% return, which is significantly lower than CMNWX's 10.80% return. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX has outperformed CMNWX with an annualized return of 20.21%, while CMNWX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.55% annualized return.

PLGIX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 6.85%
• YTD: 6.11%
• 6M: 5.10%
• 1Y: 15.54%
• 3Y*: 35.60%
• 5Y*: 18.09%
• 10Y*: 20.21%

CMNWX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.80%
• 6M: 10.19%
• 1Y: 25.40%
• 3Y*: 23.41%
• 5Y*: 14.89%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLGIX Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I	6.11%	11.59%	83.01%	40.40%	-34.05%	21.49%	36.06%	34.89%	3.44%	33.67%
CMNWX Principal Capital Appreciation Fund	10.80%	13.27%	32.14%	25.01%	-16.37%	27.45%	18.36%	32.21%	-4.12%	20.64%

Correlation

The correlation between PLGIX and CMNWX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2000	0.93

The correlation between PLGIX and CMNWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLGIX vs. CMNWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLGIX

PLGIX Risk / Return Rank: 12
PLGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
PLGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
PLGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
PLGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
PLGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

CMNWX

CMNWX Risk / Return Rank: 55
CMNWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
CMNWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
CMNWX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
CMNWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
CMNWX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) and Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX). 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.

	PLGIX	CMNWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.11	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.90	-1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.37	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	2.93	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.73	13.71	-10.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the CMNWX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLGIX and CMNWX, 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

	PLGIX	CMNWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	2.11	-1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.89	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.91	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.72	-0.26

Drawdowns

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLGIX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, which is greater than CMNWX's maximum drawdown of -50.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLGIX and CMNWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLGIX	CMNWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-50.43%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.32%	-8.91%	-9.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.39%	-19.54%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.63%	-23.35%	-17.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.63%	-33.26%	-7.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	0.00%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.26%	-6.95%	-6.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	1.90%	+4.00%

Volatility

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Principal Capital Appreciation Fund (CMNWX) at 2.85%. This indicates that PLGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CMNWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLGIX	CMNWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	2.85%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	9.42%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.25%	12.37%	+2.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.12%	16.80%	+13.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	17.19%	+8.25%

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLGIX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than CMNWX's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLGIX vs. CMNWX - Dividend Comparison

PLGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.62%, more than CMNWX's 7.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMNWX Principal Capital Appreciation Fund	7.90%	8.75%	10.03%	0.71%	0.69%	9.52%	5.33%	8.37%	46.60%	7.72%	10.32%	5.42%
PLGIX Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I	13.62%	14.45%	63.77%	5.99%	11.57%	11.34%	7.03%	8.01%	16.41%	7.05%	4.64%	12.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLGIX and CMNWX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PLGIX and CMNWX 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, PLGIX or CMNWX?

PLGIX has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to CMNWX (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLGIX dropped -55.43% vs CMNWX's -50.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CMNWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.06), 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.