PLSAX vs. PCSFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) and PCSFX (Principal Capital Securities Fund) are both mutual funds - PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while PCSFX is a Preferred Stock fund managed by Principal. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX returned 14.68%/yr vs 5.22%/yr for PCSFX. Their 0.27 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PLSAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for PCSFX.

Performance

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - 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 Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSAX achieves a 9.18% return, which is significantly higher than PCSFX's 1.37% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX has outperformed PCSFX with an annualized return of 14.68%, while PCSFX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.22% annualized return.

PLSAX

• 1D: 1.64%
• 1M: -0.59%
• 6M: 7.65%
• YTD: 9.18%
• 1Y: 20.30%
• 3Y*: 19.22%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 14.68%
• ALL TIME*: 8.01%

PCSFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.50%
• 6M: 0.78%
• YTD: 1.37%
• 1Y: 5.14%
• 3Y*: 9.20%
• 5Y*: 3.26%
• 10Y*: 5.22%
• ALL TIME*: 5.15%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PCSFX Principal Capital Securities Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	9.18%	17.50%	26.46%	25.70%	-18.41%	27.93%	17.85%	30.97%	-4.93%	21.23%
PCSFX Principal Capital Securities Fund	1.37%	8.96%	12.15%	6.82%	-11.35%	3.74%	7.71%	17.41%	-4.61%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and PCSFX is 0.46, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2014	0.27

The correlation between PLSAX and PCSFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.46 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. PCSFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PLSAX

PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

PCSFX

PCSFX Risk / Return Rank: 77
PCSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PCSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PCSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PCSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
PCSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - 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 Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX). 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.

	PLSAX	PCSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.42	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	3.56	-1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.59	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	1.77	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.64	7.84	+0.80

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the PCSFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and PCSFX, 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

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than PCSFX's maximum drawdown of -22.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and PCSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSAX	PCSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-22.42%	-33.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-2.97%	-5.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-2.97%	-15.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-18.67%	-6.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-22.42%	-11.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-0.61%	-1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.10%	-2.45%	-7.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	0.67%	+1.41%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to Principal Capital Securities Fund (PCSFX) at 0.48%. This indicates that PLSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PCSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSAX	PCSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	0.48%	+2.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.07%	1.94%	+8.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.84%	2.18%	+10.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.03%	4.29%	+12.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	5.03%	+12.47%

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than PCSFX's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. PCSFX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than PCSFX's 5.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCSFX Principal Capital Securities Fund	5.82%	5.80%	5.50%	5.75%	5.68%	4.57%	4.88%	5.43%	6.07%	5.14%	5.08%	5.78%
PLSAX Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A	2.52%	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 PCSFX in my portfolio?

PLSAX and PCSFX have a correlation of 0.46, 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 PCSFX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PCSFX (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSAX dropped -55.67% vs PCSFX's -22.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.40), 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.