PLGIX vs. PLFIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLGIX (Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I) and PLFIX (Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional) are both mutual funds - PLGIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal, while PLFIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX returned 20.21%/yr vs 15.64%/yr for PLFIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLGIX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for PLFIX.

Performance

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) and Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX). 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 PLFIX's 11.68% return. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX has outperformed PLFIX with an annualized return of 20.21%, while PLFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.64% 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%

PLFIX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.68%
• 6M: 11.75%
• 1Y: 28.92%
• 3Y*: 23.21%
• 5Y*: 14.45%
• 10Y*: 15.64%

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

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - 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%
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	11.68%	17.77%	26.77%	26.00%	-18.21%	28.25%	18.11%	31.35%	-4.66%	21.65%

Correlation

The correlation between PLGIX and PLFIX 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	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2001	0.94

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

Return for Risk

PLGIX vs. PLFIX — 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

PLFIX

PLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
PLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
PLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. PLFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PLGIX	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.52	-1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	3.42	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.46	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	3.34	-2.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.73	15.63	-12.90
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. PLFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the PLFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLGIX and PLFIX, 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	PLFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	2.52	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.86	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.90	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.49	-0.03

Drawdowns

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLGIX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, roughly equal to the maximum PLFIX drawdown of -55.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLGIX and PLFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLGIX	PLFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-55.28%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.32%	-8.90%	-9.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.39%	-18.77%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.63%	-24.58%	-16.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.63%	-33.77%	-6.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	0.00%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.26%	-8.86%	-4.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	1.90%	+4.00%

Volatility

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional (PLFIX) at 2.82%. This indicates that PLGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLGIX	PLFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	2.82%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	8.96%	+3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.25%	11.84%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.12%	16.91%	+13.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	17.52%	+7.92%

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLGIX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than PLFIX's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLGIX vs. PLFIX - Dividend Comparison

PLGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.62%, more than PLFIX's 2.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLFIX Principal Large Cap S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional	2.64%	2.95%	4.28%	4.13%	2.96%	13.60%	7.57%	3.83%	7.52%	7.01%	3.23%	2.69%
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 PLFIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, PLGIX and PLFIX 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 PLFIX?

PLGIX has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to PLFIX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLGIX dropped -55.43% vs PLFIX's -55.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.