PLHHX vs. PSSMX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PLHHX (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund) and PSSMX (Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - PLHHX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Principal, while PSSMX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Principal. Over the past 5 years, PLHHX returned 10.28%/yr vs 9.16%/yr for PSSMX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLHHX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for PSSMX.

Performance

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund (PLHHX) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLHHX achieves a 10.71% return, which is significantly lower than PSSMX's 21.62% return.

PLHHX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.05%
• 6M: 7.81%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 1Y: 22.31%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 10.28%
• 10Y*: —

PSSMX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 2.41%
• 6M: 13.35%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 1Y: 31.88%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

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

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLHHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund	10.71%	19.91%	17.00%	20.33%	-18.53%	20.30%	16.50%	27.02%	-10.19%	7.77%
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	21.62%	5.34%	16.60%	15.18%	-16.69%	25.39%	10.65%	21.99%	-9.42%	12.03%

Correlation

The correlation between PLHHX and PSSMX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2017	0.85

The correlation between PLHHX and PSSMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLHHX vs. PSSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLHHX

PLHHX Risk / Return Rank: 60
PLHHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PLHHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
PLHHX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PLHHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PLHHX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

PSSMX

PSSMX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PSSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
PSSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PSSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
PSSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PSSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund (PLHHX) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX). 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.

	PLHHX	PSSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.72	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.57	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	3.44	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.07	11.55	-0.48

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLHHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the PSSMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLHHX and PSSMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLHHX drawdown since its inception was -33.47%, smaller than the maximum PSSMX drawdown of -58.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLHHX and PSSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLHHX	PSSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.47%	-58.43%	+24.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.64%	-8.76%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.62%	-24.30%	+7.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.44%	-27.01%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-1.49%	+0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.35%	-9.48%	+4.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.61%	-0.63%

Volatility

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund (PLHHX) and Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX) have volatilities of 3.95% and 3.88%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	PLHHX	PSSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	3.88%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.75%	12.03%	-1.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	17.49%	-4.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.66%	21.70%	-6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.80%	22.86%	-6.06%

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLHHX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PSSMX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLHHX vs. PSSMX - Dividend Comparison

PLHHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.51%, less than PSSMX's 8.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLHHX Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund	3.51%	3.88%	4.03%	2.64%	7.08%	2.27%	2.00%	1.65%	3.49%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	8.21%	9.98%	15.91%	3.75%	10.45%	8.23%	1.67%	6.56%	13.08%	6.03%	6.15%	8.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLHHX and PSSMX in my portfolio?

PLHHX and PSSMX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLHHX or PSSMX?

PLHHX has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to PSSMX (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLHHX dropped -33.47% vs PSSMX's -58.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.70), 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.