PLGIX vs. SACAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLGIX (Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I) and SACAX (Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio) are both mutual funds - PLGIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Principal, while SACAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX returned 20.21%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for SACAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLGIX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SACAX.

Performance

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) and Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX). 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 SACAX's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, PLGIX has outperformed SACAX with an annualized return of 20.21%, while SACAX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.25% 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%

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)

PLGIX vs. SACAX - 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%
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 PLGIX and SACAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2000	0.92

The correlation between PLGIX and SACAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLGIX vs. SACAX — 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

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.

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PLGIX	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.22	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	3.10	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.41	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	2.92	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.73	13.07	-10.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the SACAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLGIX 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

	PLGIX	SACAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	2.22	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.71	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.77	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.48	-0.03

Drawdowns

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLGIX drawdown since its inception was -55.43%, roughly equal to the maximum SACAX drawdown of -54.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLGIX and SACAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLGIX	SACAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.43%	-54.31%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.32%	-8.85%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.39%	-15.88%	-5.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.63%	-26.96%	-13.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.63%	-34.90%	-5.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	0.00%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.26%	-9.79%	-3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	1.97%	+3.93%

Volatility

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap Growth Fund I (PLGIX) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Principal SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio (SACAX) at 3.34%. This indicates that PLGIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SACAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLGIX	SACAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	3.34%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	9.29%	+2.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.25%	11.60%	+3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.12%	15.63%	+14.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	16.05%	+9.39%

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLGIX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than SACAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLGIX vs. SACAX - Dividend Comparison

PLGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.62%, more than SACAX's 10.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
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 PLGIX and SACAX in my portfolio?

PLGIX and SACAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLGIX or SACAX?

PLGIX has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to SACAX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLGIX dropped -55.43% vs SACAX's -54.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SACAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 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.