PLJIX vs. PSSMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLJIX (Principal LifeTime 2065) and PSSMX (Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - PLJIX 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, PLJIX returned 9.09%/yr vs 6.80%/yr for PSSMX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLJIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for PSSMX.

Performance

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LifeTime 2065 (PLJIX) 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, PLJIX achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly lower than PSSMX's 15.97% return.

PLJIX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.75%
• YTD: 9.69%
• 6M: 10.09%
• 1Y: 22.79%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: —

PSSMX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 15.97%
• 6M: 14.78%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

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

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLJIX Principal LifeTime 2065	9.69%	17.76%	15.83%	20.27%	-18.82%	18.18%	16.87%	27.36%	-9.36%	7.78%
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	15.97%	5.34%	16.60%	15.18%	-16.69%	25.39%	10.65%	21.99%	-9.42%	11.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PLJIX and PSSMX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2017	0.84

The correlation between PLJIX and PSSMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLJIX vs. PSSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLJIX

PLJIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PLJIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PLJIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
PLJIX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PLJIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PLJIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

PSSMX

PSSMX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PSSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PSSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PSSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PSSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PSSMX 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.

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LifeTime 2065 (PLJIX) 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.

	PLJIX	PSSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.95	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.84	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.34	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	3.89	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.04	13.00	-0.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLJIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the PSSMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLJIX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLJIX	PSSMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	1.95	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.31	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.41	+0.26

Drawdowns

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLJIX drawdown since its inception was -34.13%, smaller than the maximum PSSMX drawdown of -58.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLJIX and PSSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLJIX	PSSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.13%	-58.43%	+24.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.72%	-8.76%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.72%	-24.30%	+8.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.81%	-27.01%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.60%	-9.52%	+3.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	2.62%	-0.69%

Volatility

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LifeTime 2065 (PLJIX) is 3.31%, while Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund (PSSMX) has a volatility of 4.47%. This indicates that PLJIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSSMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLJIX	PSSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.31%	4.47%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.44%	11.69%	-2.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.80%	17.46%	-5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.41%	21.76%	-6.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	22.92%	-6.20%

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PLJIX vs. PSSMX - Dividend Comparison

PLJIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.27%, less than PSSMX's 8.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLJIX Principal LifeTime 2065	6.27%	6.88%	6.05%	3.59%	6.54%	3.83%	2.45%	3.83%	3.34%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%
PSSMX Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund	8.61%	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 PLJIX and PSSMX in my portfolio?

PLJIX and PSSMX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLJIX or PSSMX?

PSSMX has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to PLJIX (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLJIX dropped -34.13% vs PSSMX's -58.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLJIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.95), 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.