PLSAX vs. CMPGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) and CMPGX (Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while CMPGX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Principal Funds. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX returned 15.34%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CMPGX. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. PLSAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CMPGX.

Performance

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) and Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund (CMPGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSAX achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly higher than CMPGX's 0.31% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX has outperformed CMPGX with an annualized return of 15.34%, while CMPGX has yielded a comparatively lower 0.60% annualized return.

PLSAX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.77%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 5Y*: 14.17%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

CMPGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.28%
• 1Y: 6.11%
• 3Y*: 3.51%
• 5Y*: -0.50%
• 10Y*: 0.60%

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

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	11.59%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%
CMPGX Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund	0.31%	7.56%	0.46%	3.98%	-12.34%	-1.80%	2.50%	6.12%	0.52%	1.36%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and CMPGX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2001	-0.11

The correlation between PLSAX and CMPGX shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. CMPGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

CMPGX

CMPGX Risk / Return Rank: 23
CMPGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
CMPGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
CMPGX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CMPGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CMPGX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) and Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund (CMPGX). 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.

	PLSAX	CMPGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.38	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.02	+1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.25	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	1.77	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.41	6.04	+9.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the CMPGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and CMPGX, 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

	PLSAX	CMPGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.38	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	-0.08	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.12	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.82	-0.39

Drawdowns

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than CMPGX's maximum drawdown of -19.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and CMPGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSAX	CMPGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-19.56%	-36.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-3.39%	-5.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-8.19%	-10.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-19.17%	-5.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-19.56%	-14.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.38%	+3.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-2.42%	-7.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	0.99%	+0.92%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund (CMPGX) at 1.69%. This indicates that PLSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CMPGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSAX	CMPGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	1.69%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.96%	3.18%	+5.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.84%	4.38%	+7.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	6.65%	+10.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	4.98%	+12.52%

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than CMPGX's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. CMPGX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than CMPGX's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMPGX Principal Government & High Quality Bond Fund	3.60%	3.44%	2.84%	2.19%	1.35%	1.08%	2.00%	2.43%	2.65%	3.30%	3.76%	2.96%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.47%	2.75%	4.07%	3.90%	2.70%	13.38%	7.35%	3.57%	7.19%	6.72%	2.93%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLSAX and CMPGX in my portfolio?

PLSAX and CMPGX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLSAX or CMPGX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to CMPGX (1.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSAX dropped -55.67% vs CMPGX's -19.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.38), 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.