PLSAX vs. PFUMX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) and PFUMX (Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while PFUMX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Principal. Over the past 5 years, PLSAX returned 12.59%/yr vs 4.69%/yr for PFUMX. Their 0.33 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PLSAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for PFUMX.

Performance

PLSAX vs. PFUMX - 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 Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX). 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 PFUMX's 2.15% 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%

PFUMX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.51%
• 6M: -0.22%
• YTD: 2.15%
• 1Y: 9.10%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 4.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.60%

*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)
PFUMX Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond 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. PFUMX - 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%
PFUMX Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund	2.15%	16.05%	7.41%	11.21%	-9.30%	-2.99%	7.84%	14.75%	-1.61%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and PFUMX is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.33

The correlation between PLSAX and PFUMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (all time) to 0.52 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. PFUMX — 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

PFUMX

PFUMX Risk / Return Rank: 79
PFUMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
PFUMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PFUMX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PFUMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PFUMX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. PFUMX - 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 Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX). 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	PFUMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.50	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	3.61	-1.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.52	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	2.13	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.64	7.24	+1.41

PLSAX vs. PFUMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the PFUMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and PFUMX, 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. PFUMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than PFUMX's maximum drawdown of -21.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and PFUMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSAX	PFUMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-21.27%	-34.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-4.45%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-5.59%	-13.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-20.50%	-4.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-1.26%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.10%	-3.25%	-6.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	1.31%	+0.77%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. PFUMX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund (PFUMX) at 0.91%. This indicates that PLSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFUMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSAX	PFUMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	0.91%	+2.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.07%	3.11%	+6.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.84%	3.80%	+9.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.03%	5.17%	+11.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	4.70%	+12.80%

PLSAX vs. PFUMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than PFUMX's 0.84% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. PFUMX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than PFUMX's 5.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFUMX Principal Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund	5.68%	5.89%	7.26%	6.43%	7.99%	2.98%	4.29%	5.43%	3.84%	7.86%	0.00%	0.00%
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 PFUMX in my portfolio?

PLSAX and PFUMX have a correlation of 0.52, 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 PFUMX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to PFUMX (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSAX dropped -55.67% vs PFUMX's -21.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFUMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 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.