PLSAX vs. PGDIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLSAX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A) and PGDIX (Principal Diversified Income Fund) are both mutual funds - PLSAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while PGDIX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Principal Funds. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX returned 15.34%/yr vs 4.01%/yr for PGDIX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLSAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for PGDIX.

Performance

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - 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 Diversified Income Fund (PGDIX). 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 PGDIX's -0.44% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX has outperformed PGDIX with an annualized return of 15.34%, while PGDIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.01% 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%

PGDIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: -0.44%
• 6M: -0.24%
• 1Y: 3.75%
• 3Y*: 5.92%
• 5Y*: 2.06%
• 10Y*: 4.01%

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

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - 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%
PGDIX Principal Diversified Income Fund	-0.44%	6.50%	5.44%	8.53%	-11.20%	8.66%	1.89%	13.77%	-5.38%	10.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and PGDIX is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2008	0.64

The correlation between PLSAX and PGDIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (3 years) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. PGDIX — 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

PGDIX

PGDIX Risk / Return Rank: 18
PGDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PGDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
PGDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PGDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PGDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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. PGDIX - 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 Diversified Income Fund (PGDIX). 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	PGDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.31	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	1.80	+1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.26	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	1.14	+2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.41	3.72	+11.70
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. PGDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the PGDIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and PGDIX, 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	PGDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.31	+1.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.51	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.77	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	1.13	-0.69

Drawdowns

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than PGDIX's maximum drawdown of -23.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and PGDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLSAX	PGDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-23.76%	-31.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-3.38%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-3.56%	-15.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-14.60%	-10.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-23.76%	-10.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.39%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-2.76%	-7.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.04%	+0.87%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - Volatility Comparison

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Principal Diversified Income Fund (PGDIX) at 0.97%. This indicates that PLSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PGDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLSAX	PGDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	0.97%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.96%	2.25%	+6.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.84%	2.95%	+8.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	4.09%	+12.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	5.23%	+12.27%

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than PGDIX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. PGDIX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than PGDIX's 5.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGDIX Principal Diversified Income Fund	5.83%	6.17%	6.28%	6.47%	5.34%	4.59%	4.63%	5.12%	5.10%	4.67%	5.76%	5.27%
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 PGDIX in my portfolio?

PLSAX and PGDIX have a correlation of 0.48, 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 PGDIX?

PLSAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to PGDIX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLSAX dropped -55.67% vs PGDIX's -23.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.31), 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.