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PLSAX vs. RPMGX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

PLSAX vs. RPMGX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) and T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund (RPMGX).

PLSAX is a passively managed fund by Principal Funds that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Feb 2, 2001. RPMGX is managed by T. Rowe Price. It was launched on Jun 30, 1992.

Performance

PLSAX vs. RPMGX - 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 T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund (RPMGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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PLSAX vs. RPMGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
PLSAX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A		-4.39%17.50%26.46%25.70%-18.41%27.93%17.85%30.97%-4.93%21.23%
RPMGX
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund		-4.07%10.55%21.08%20.27%-22.51%14.94%24.16%31.53%-2.12%24.80%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLSAX achieves a -4.39% return, which is significantly lower than RPMGX's -4.07% return. Over the past 10 years, PLSAX has outperformed RPMGX with an annualized return of 13.75%, while RPMGX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.27% annualized return.

PLSAX

1D
2.93%
1M
-5.03%
YTD
-4.39%
6M
-2.26%
1Y
17.02%
3Y*
18.47%
5Y*
11.69%
10Y*
13.75%

RPMGX

1D
2.79%
1M
-6.50%
YTD
-4.07%
6M
3.44%
1Y
13.97%
3Y*
12.93%
5Y*
5.64%
10Y*
11.27%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund

Often compared with PLSAX:
PLSAX vs. VOOPLSAX vs. FXAIXPLSAX vs. VTIPLSAX vs. MEIKXPLSAX vs. SPYPLSAX vs. SNXFXPLSAX vs. OLGAX
Often compared with RPMGX:
RPMGX vs. VIMAXRPMGX vs. ^GSPCRPMGX vs. TRMCXRPMGX vs. PRDMXRPMGX vs. PRWAXRPMGX vs. VOORPMGX vs. POAGX

PLSAX vs. RPMGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLSAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than RPMGX's 0.72% expense ratio.

RPMGX
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund
PLSAX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A

Return for Risk

PLSAX vs. RPMGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PLSAX
PLSAX Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
PLSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PLSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
PLSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
PLSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
PLSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
RPMGX
RPMGX Risk / Return Rank: 3535
Overall Rank
RPMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RPMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3434
Sortino Ratio Rank
RPMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
RPMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
RPMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
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. RPMGX - 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 T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund (RPMGX). 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.

PLSAXRPMGXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.97

0.72

+0.25

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.51

1.20

+0.31

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.16

+0.06

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.49

1.13

+0.36

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

7.18

4.47

+2.71

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. RPMGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLSAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is higher than the RPMGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLSAX and RPMGX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

PLSAXRPMGXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

0.72

+0.25

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.69

0.29

+0.40

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.59

+0.20

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.40

0.67

-0.27

Correlation

The correlation between PLSAX and RPMGX is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

PLSAX vs. RPMGX - Dividend Comparison

PLSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, less than RPMGX's 13.24% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
PLSAX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A		2.88%2.75%4.07%3.90%2.70%13.38%7.35%3.57%7.19%6.72%2.93%2.36%
RPMGX
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund		13.24%12.70%20.43%6.35%2.60%10.52%4.53%5.29%12.12%8.04%3.45%9.51%

Drawdowns

PLSAX vs. RPMGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, roughly equal to the maximum RPMGX drawdown of -54.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLSAX and RPMGX.

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Drawdown Indicators

PLSAXRPMGXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.67%

-54.66%

-1.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.13%

-12.47%

+0.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.69%

-32.08%

+7.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.79%

-35.96%

+2.17%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.27%

-7.71%

+1.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.22%

-6.99%

-3.23%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.52%

3.16%

-0.64%

Volatility

PLSAX vs. RPMGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund Class A (PLSAX) is 5.33%, while T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund (RPMGX) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that PLSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RPMGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

PLSAXRPMGXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.33%

5.75%

-0.42%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.53%

11.80%

-2.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.07%

19.72%

-1.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.92%

19.27%

-2.35%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.48%

19.06%

-1.58%